Page 164 of Daisy

"Says the guy who gave a twenty-minute lecture on proper knife maintenance yesterday," Hawk shoots back with a grin.

"That was important tactical information!"

"Uh-huh. Sure it was, professor."

My chest fills with warmth. Tyler, safe and healing and making friends. After everything that poor omega went through, seeing him surrounded by people who actually care about him...

"It's the most important work we've ever done," Rose continues. "And we get to do it as sisters again."

My sisters are so smart. They were always brilliant, but Uncle was such a control freak he never let them actually use their brains.

Cassian appears in the doorway with his tablet. "Update from the lawyers," he announces. "Uncle's still in jail awaiting trial. Should be another few months before that circus starts. The transition committee officially hands power to the interim government next week."

The weight in my chest just melts away. Finally, decent people are running things—teachers, scientists, normal folks who actually know what they're doing instead of just having the right last name. Elections are still months out, but at least we're not gonna crash and burn.

Through our bonds, I feel August's quiet satisfaction from his position by the window, Dante's relief that the transition is going smoothly, Hawk's restless energy buzzing like electricity, Cassian's protective calm wrapping around all of us.

All of them here. All of them safe. All of them ready to go home.

Home. God, when did that word start meaning something again?

"Which means," I say, looking around at my pack, these incredible men who've supported every crazy decision I've made, "it's time for us to go home."

"What are you saying?" August asks, though through our connection I can feel his hope blooming bright.

"I'm saying let's go back to the cabin. For real this time. No more politics, no more revolution. Just us."

Dante's bond pulses with warm approval. "You sure? The transition team can handle?—"

"They can handle it without me," I interrupt. "I was never meant to rule. I was meant to free people, then get out of the way so they could choose their own leaders."

Relief floods through all our bonds.Finally. Finally, we can just be us.

Hawk appears beside me, grinning wide, his caramel scent spiking with pure joy. "Hell yes. I'm so ready to get out of this stuffy political bullshit."

"I can't wait to be back at the cabin with my pack." Dante says, his voice warm with happiness.

"Speaking of the cabin," Hawk adds, mischief flooding our connection before he even speaks. "I've been thinking we might need to put an extension on the cabin."

"Why?" Gunner asks, already suspicious.

"Because Dante's digestive system is a weapon of mass destruction. Seriously, one bathroom isn't enough for whatever the hell you've been eating."

"My digestion is perfectly normal!" Dante protests, his face going red.

"Normal for what? A garbage disposal?" Hawk dodges around the desk with a cackle. "Pretty sure you're violating the Geneva Convention at this point."

"That's it," Dante lunges for him. "Come here, you little shit."

"Alphas," I say, but through our bonds they both feel how much I love watching them mess around like this. How their playfulness makes my chest warm with happiness.

"Extension it is," I laugh, watching my pack chase each other around the Governor's office. "But Hawk's designing the ventilation."

"Oh, I've got plans," Hawk grins, still dodging. "Industrial strength. Maybe a hazmat system."

"Please don't blow up our house," August mutters, but I feel his fond amusement through our bond.

And as the laughter continues around me, as my pack argues about construction plans and digestive issues in the office where I was once told I was property...