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“We need to know,” Tobias said, his voice tight. “What did we do wrong? Talk to us, Summer.”

“N-nothing! It’s not⁠—”

“Well, clearly we did something wrong, or you wouldn’t be looking into dissolving our bond!” I growled, ignoring the collective gasps from those watching, including our mothers.

We probably should’ve had this conversation somewhere more private, but all I could think about was my omega trying to leave, and I could not let that happen.

“Why, Summer?” I growled. “I’m not leaving until⁠—”

“Because I fucking love you!” she snarled, turning to glare at me, tears gathering in her eyes. “I love you, and I refuse to let you be dragged down with me!”

I paused and took a small step back. Summer loved us? Hearing those words out of her mouth made my chest puff out in pride, like my heart was going to explode with joy, despite the stress of the situation.

Hearing that she loved us was euphoric because there was no denying the fact that I’d fallen utterly in love with Summer too.

Then the second thing she’d said occurred to me. She thought she was going to drag us down? Drag us down where? How? What was going on?

“Summer…” I started to speak.

“Look, I love you guys, but there’s…a situation, and I need to deal with it. It’s a me problem. I don't want it affecting you.”

I stepped forward again, narrowing my eyes, brows down low. “What situation?”

“Milo’s grandparents,” she admitted in a small voice, her posture wilting.

“His grandparents? Summer, that’s not enough to go on.”

Emmett let out a shocked sound that melted into an exasperated sigh. “Princess, please don’t tell me you’re running because of that sham lawsuit they filed.”

Summer’s eyes shot up to him, wide as saucers. “You know about that?”

Emmett nodded, crossing his arms. “They sent papers to my office. I was going to tell you this weekend. Guess that didn’t work.” His brows shot up again. “Wait, did someone serve you?”

Summer nodded. “Yes, but…”

“What papers?” I asked, utterly confused.

“Milo’s grandparents want him back!” Summer spoke through tears. “They’re going after everything, your businesses, your home. They were going to go after Emmett’s credibility as a lawyer. I couldn’t let that happen. I will deal with it, and then I can come back. You guys have worked so hard to build a life here, and I don’t want to damage that.”

She was trying to leave to… protect us? “Oh, Summer,” I whispered, sagging.

“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Emmett laughed. “This is why we need to communicate better, because if you had spoken to me before running here, I could have told you what a load of bullshit that lawsuit is.”

“Wh-what do you mean?” she asked in a shaky voice.

“I mean that it will never go anywhere. It’s a bunch of scary legal wording, but it’ll never be successful. Milo has five adopted legal parents. The most they could ever dream of getting is a day-a-month visitation.”

Summer’s eyes welled up further, and she came closer, looking at Emmett with such desperate hope. “Th-they’re not going to take my baby?”

Emmett shook his head. “It’s bluster and a lot of hot air. I assure you, Summer, there is nothing substantial in that lawsuit.”

“But they named all your assets…”

“Bluffing.” Emmett shrugged. “I’ve seen it plenty of times in my line of work. Promise.”

“I… I thought…”

Noah pulled her into his arms, clutching her tightly and resting his chin on the top of her head. “You thought wrong. We’re a pack. We discuss these things together. Okay? We don’t care what threat is on the horizon. We deal with it together. You mean more to us than any asset. We love you.”