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"Another round?" Alex asks.

"God no," Finn says.

"You're just scared you'll lose again."

"I'm preserving my sanity."

"So yes. Scared."

"I'm going to put you in a headlock."

"You can try."

I watch them. The easy affection. How they move around each other like they've been doing this for years. Which they have.

The bond tugs, stronger this time. I want this, want them. Want to be part of this pack in a way that feels permanent.

The thought terrifies me.

I stand up. "I'm going to get water."

I don't look at the couch as I pass, but I feel Drake's eyes follow me across the room.

I don't turn around.

I don't know what it looks like from over there.

But I notice, when I finally look over on my way to get water, that he's not watching Malcolm or Alex or even Finn.

He's watching Rhys with an expression I recognize.

Because I've worn it.

It's the look you get when you see someone being given something you didn't give. When you understand, in a way that has nothing to do with logic and everything to do with a gut feeling, that you are watching someone else be chosen.

I go to the kitchen and get my water.

And I don't feel guilty about what he saw.

***

It's late.

I'm in bed staring at the ceiling. The room is dark except for a sliver of moonlight through the curtains.

I've brought extra blankets onto the bed. I didn't consciously decide to do it, but I found myself pulling them from the closet and arranging them around me.

It's not quite a nest, but it's something.

My omega is trying. Even here, even now after everything.

I think about Ragon.

Wonder what he's doing right now. If he's home, if he's with Marie.

I haven't had the courage to ask Drake about Marie yet. If they bonded her before he left.

Part of me doesn't want to know.