Page 163 of Daisy

Family. This is what family actually looks like.

"I'm so glad to finally meet you," Lily says, and there's something so genuine about her. No fake politeness. No agenda. Just... real. "Gunner's told me so much about you. Scent matches... that's incredible. I never thought I'd meet another omega who found theirs." She shakes her head in wonder. "You were definitely meant to be together."

My throat gets tight with emotion.

The way she says it, like she truly understands how rare this is. Through our bonds, I feel my pack's reaction. This wave of protective love, like they're all thinkingof course we found herat the same time.

Sometimes I still can't believe this is real. All of them. That I get to have this.

Then my sisters walk in.

Violet looks... different. Still careful, still holding herself like someone might yell at her for breathing wrong. But there's something new in her eyes. Something that looks almost like hope, maybe? She's wearing actual jeans instead of those perfect torture dresses Uncle used to make us wear.

Still learning how to exist without someone controlling her every move. I get that. I so get that.

Rose though? Rose looks like she discovered who she really is and decided to lean into it hard. Her auburn hair's all chopped off short and messy. She moves like she owns the whole damn world now.

Like the Rose who used to sneak us cookies and tell me I was her favorite little sister. Who danced with me in the garden when the nannies weren't watching. The one who was warm and bright and full of laughter before the system tried to crush it out of her.

She's got that spark back. That Rose-ness I thought was gone forever.

After everything Uncle put us through, seeing her like this? It's everything.

"We're here to help with the new rehabilitation centers," Rose says, and there's excitement in her voice now. Real excitement. "Both of us. We want to work with the omegas transitioning out of unwanted bonds."

Violet nods, her voice still soft but there's steel underneath now. "It's important work. Helping people the way you helped us."

My chest swells with pride. My sisters, using their brilliance to heal others. Finally free to do what they were always meant to do.

The little girl gets brave enough to approach. "Uncle Gunner?" she says, all shy and sweet.

Gunner drops to his knees and she launches herself into his arms.

Through our bond, I feel it hit him. Ten years of searching. Ten years of wondering if his baby sister was even alive. And now this, her daughter, safe and loved and calling him uncle like it's the most natural thing in the world.

His fierce protective love spikes so pure it makes my chest ache.

"This is Juliet," Lily says, tears in her voice. "And that little troublemaker is Benji."

The toddler waves from his perch, babbling "Unca Gun!" like he's known Gunner his whole life. Not just an hour.

I watch Gunner hold his niece like she's made of glass, his sandalwood scent going soft and vulnerable in a way that breaks my heart wide open.

This. This right here.

This is why we did it all.

So kids like Juliet and Benji will never have to learn how to disappear inside themselves when adults talk about their future like they're not even there.

"There's something else," Rose says, and her rose scent blooms with excitement as she exchanges a look with Violet. "We're working together now. Like we used to when we were little. Remember?"

Violet's jasmine scent warms with shared joy. "At the rehabilitation centers. Medical research with scientists who actually understand that forced bonds are trauma, not love."

"We're helping Tyler too," Rose adds, her voice going soft with affection. "The omega Hawk rescued? Tyler lights up every time Hawk’s name is mentioned."

"Tyler calls me all the time now," Hawk says from across the room, his caramel scent warm with affection. "He actually listens to my stories when nobody else wants to hear my voice."

"That's because you never shut up," Dante says dryly.