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A sharp scream made all of us look up, and the sound sliced my heartbeat in two.

Tully.

“Let go of me.” There was a cry of pain and the sound of a scuffle as I rounded the corner with a skid.

Puck shot ahead of me and threw open one of the apartment doors. We rushed in, almost tripping over a frayed rug and knocking the lone lamp to the ground.

A man pressed Tully against the wall. Her shirt was askew, and on the floor was a mess of papers. As the man tossed his head back, I recognized him.

“CJ? What the fuck?” Pan and Walden hauled the alpha off Tully.

CJ’s back bent and he sprawled to the floor with a low growl. Tully slid down the wall, quickly pulling her clothing over her shoulder. I saw a sliver of red. I dropped the bag of noodles as Ajax and I flanked her, and I wrapped my arms around her waist. Her scent burned my nostrils.

The apartment was cramped, and all of us pressed into it made it crowded.

“Are you alright, honey girl?” I wiped away a smudge from her cheek.

CJ let out a bark of laughter before Walden’s boot connected with his gut. Clay grabbed Puck by the collar and dragged him out, shouting something about thorns.

My heart bruised my ribs. Tully’s eyes were wild.

Walden snarled and wrenched CJ off the ground by his collar. The man hid his strength in custom suits, but it was there. He made CJ look like a bug and he scrambled in Walden’s tight hold.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Walden showed his teeth.

Pan made a noise and Walden shoved CJ across the room until he sprawled in the patched armchair. Walden pulled Pan close to him while he vibrated with fury. CJ let out a whistling breath, rolled his shoulders, and shook his head. He flicked a look at Tully and I tucked her closer to shield her from his gaze.

“You want to tell them, Chase? Or should I?” Tully let out a razor-sharp laugh.

Chase’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t speak. He crossed his ankle over his knee and shrugged.

“Are you alright, Tully?” Walden asked.

“I will be.” Tully rose on unsteady feet.

“Let me, treasure,” Ajax murmured, and he slid an arm around her waist.

I stayed close, lending her my warmth and support. What had we stumbled onto? We came this way out of jealousy, but what would have happened if we hadn’t?

“It’s not what it looks like.” CJ brushed off his pants.

“No? It looks like you’re attacking my omega,” Walden snapped.

Tully shivered against Ajax and me, and her scent hit the back of my throat. This apartment was drenched in her terror.

“She invited me in. We were just having a conversation. There’s history between us.”

Sickness curled in my stomach, and Tully lifted her head with a defiant glare.

“You’re such a liar and I’m done talking to you, Chase. In fact, I never want to see you again.”

Chase had the nerve to smirk and his fingers drifted to tap his pocket, where the outline of his phone bulged.

“You sure, pretty?”

Pan growled and his fist flew toward CJ’s face. It hit him square in the cheek and he slammed into the back of the chair.The mark bloomed red. CJ leaped to his feet and jammed his finger against Pan’s chest.

“I’ll charge you with assault.”