Page 63 of Daisy

"Is it enough for you?"

I think about her small hand pressed against Gunner's leg. The way she looked at Hawk when he made her laugh. How she trusted Dante enough to fall asleep beside him.

Maybe she'll never trust me the same way. Maybe I'll always be the one she's afraid of. But if I can keep her safe, if I can be part of protecting what's precious to her...

"Yeah," I say. "It's enough."

The miles blur past. August sleeps fitfully in the passenger seat, exhaustion finally catching up. I drive through the night, suppressants burning a hole in my pocket, thoughts churning.

What we did today changed everything. No more normal life. No more safe apartment. No more library job for August or legitimate work for me.

But when I think about Daisy's terrified scent, her frightened eyes, the way she whispered that she felt safe...

Worth it. All of it.

By the time we reach the motel, dawn is breaking. I park outside our room, engine ticking as it cools. August stirs, blinking awake.

"We're here," I say.

He stretches, works out the kinks from sleeping in the car. His scent carries exhaustion but also relief.

"Ready?" he asks.

"Ready."

But as we walk toward the door, something makes me stop. The weight of everything we've just done. Everything we're walking into. The life we left behind and the uncertain future ahead.

I turn to August, cup his face in my hands. His hazel eyes widen in surprise, but he doesn't pull away.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"For what?"

"For this. For her. For choosing us over safe."

Before he can respond, I kiss him. Deep and desperate and full of everything I can't put into words. A year of love and trust and the promise that whatever comes next, we face it together.

When we break apart, August is breathless, cheeks flushed.

"Come on," he says softly, taking my hand. "Let's go home."

Home. Not the apartment we left behind, but wherever the five of us end up together.

Time to find out if four alphas, a beta, and an omega can build something worth keeping.

Together.

Chapter 18

Daisy

Iwake up to an empty room.

August is gone from the bed beside me, and I can hear the other three alphas moving around in the connecting room.

I remember August waking me before dawn, his gentle hand on my shoulder as he whispered that he and Cassian were going back to collect things from their apartment. "We'll be back late tonight," he'd promised quietly. "Just getting our stuff. Nothing dangerous."

They're giving up everything because of me. Their home, their jobs, everything they built together. August loves that library—I saw it in his eyes when he talked about the books, about Mrs. Taylor. And Cassian... I don't know what their apartment means to him, but I know they're giving up everything normal and safe.