Page 49 of Daisy

"Not soon enough," he says quietly. "I watched you being paraded around for years. Should have acted sooner."

"You stayed with me when I was scared," I say, the words coming easier now. "You gave me your jacket when I was in shock."

I remember being so terrified I could barely think, but his scent had been there - honey and clove cutting through the chaos. Even when I was too scared to understand it, some part of me had recognized safety.

"You needed someone to see you," he says quietly. "Not the Governor's niece or a political asset. Just Daisy."

The way he says my name—like it matters, likeImatter—makes my eyes prick with tears.

"I see you too," I whisper.

The van grows quiet except for the soft sounds of breathing and shuffling cards. Outside, trees blur past in shades of green and gold, but inside our small space, something has shifted. The air feels thicker, warmer.

"I'm getting tired," I murmur as we finish another round, exhaustion pulling at me. The emotional weight of opening up, of trusting, is more draining than I expected.

"Lie down," Gunner calls gently from the front. "We've got a few more hours."

I look around the mattress, suddenly uncertain again. Where am I supposed to go? In my old life, these decisions were made for me. Here, I have to choose.

The freedom is still terrifying. But maybe... maybe it's wonderful too.

"Wherever you're comfortable," August says, reading my hesitation. "No wrong choices."

I settle down slowly, my head ending up near Dante's thigh. He goes completely still, like he's afraid any movement might scare me away. There's something about his scent—warm honey and clove—that makes my muscles relax despite my nerves.

"Is this okay?" I whisper, suddenly worried I'm being too bold.

"Yeah," he breathes, his voice rough with something I don't recognize. "It's perfect."

His hand hovers over my hair for a moment, then settles carefully on my shoulder instead. Safe. Respectful. But the weight of it makes warmth bloom through my entire body.

Hawk shifts closer, not touching but near enough that I can feel his presence like a shield. August continues shuffling cards quietly, the soft sound soothing. And from the front, I can still hear Gunner humming something under his breath while he drives, Cassian's quiet presence a steady anchor.

I can smell them all now, really smell them. Gunner's warm sandalwood and wild fig that makes me feel safe. Dante's honey and clove that somehow protects me. August's cedar and parchment that grounds me. Even traces of Hawk's leather and caramel, mixing with what must be Cassian's rain and musk from the front.

It should be overwhelming. Four alphas and a beta, all their scents layering together in this confined space. Instead, it feels like... home. Like something I never knew I was missing.

All of them. Surrounding me. Protecting me without caging me.

For the first time in my life, I'm falling asleep by choice. Surrounded by people who want nothing from me except for me to feel safe.

And I do. Finally, impossibly, I feel safe.

Chapter 15

Hawk

"Daisy?" I say softly, crouching beside where she's curled up on the van's mattress. "Princess, we're here."

Her eyes flutter open, unfocused and soft with sleep. She makes this small sound, half yawn, half sigh that does absolutely nothing for my self-control.

"Mmm?" She blinks slowly, trying to process where we are.

"New motel. Better than last night." I keep my voice gentle, even though her scent is making my brain short-circuit. "Would it be okay if I carried you inside? You can go right back to sleep."

She smells incredible. Honeysuckle and vanilla so thick and warm I could drown in it. But there's something else underneath. Something that makes my chest tighten and calls to every possessive instinct I've ever had. Her scent hits me like lightning, and my alpha hindbrain sits up and takes notice like a dog hearing a dinner bell.

Something that whispersminein a language I don't understand but my body sure as hell does.