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“I’m sorry, Tully.”

I rested my hands in my lap, turned them palm up in plaintive need. Pan made a noise, a half-sob before he smothered it.

“We all are, angel.”

“The prince emailed me, asking specifically to meet you, and I brought it up with the pack. They warned me it wasn’t a good idea. I asked Ajax to talk to you, but he was very clear. If you said you didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t have pressed. I regret my choice every day because hurting you was the last thing I wanted to do.” My voice cracked.

“Thank you, Walden. That helps me feel better.”

“But?” Pain spread through my kneecaps as I waited.

Tully’s slow, sad smile froze the frantic pumping of my heart.

“I’ve been in awe of you since I was a kid. If you told me to walk across broken glass barefoot, I would’ve asked how fast. I can’t fix the imbalance between us, even if I accept your apology. That’s what you’re not getting. These words don’t fix what is wrong inside me. I need to do that on my own.”

“Please.”

Please what?

My insides tore to pieces as she shook her head and turned away, and her lack of emotion made me wither. Eucalyptus burned my nostrils. I wanted hope. Needed to know there was still a chance, however minuscule it might be.

“How can you have a relationship with someone when you’re beneath them?”

I stretched my hands out wide. My ribs cracked open, and I offered my tormented heart.

“How can you say that? You made my dreams come true the day you walked back into my life.”

“Don’t you see? I fit the mold you already created. An omega. A Hartlock. Someone you can coddle and control.”

“No, you’re twisting what I’m saying.” I exhaled as my knees throbbed. “Do I want to coddle you? Absolutely. I want to spoil and cater to your every whim. Not just an omega, but you. I love your open heart, how you can be vulnerable and strong at the same time. I admire your spirit and creativity. You’re themissing piece I’ve waited for, and nobody else could fill the space I have for you in my heart.”

I laid it all out. All the twisted, throbbing emotions that ruled my thumping organ.

“You have such a way with words, Walden.”

Tully locked her bruised heart up tight. Her bitterness made a meal of me.

I blew out a frustrated breath. “And you don’t want them. I hear you. So, tell me what to do to convince you they’re the truth? I’d do anything for you.”

Her crystal eyes found mine and the hurt shimmering on the surface cut me like glass. She lifted her shoulders and caught her wobbling bottom lip in her teeth.

“Let’s focus on Chase and we can revisit this conversation, okay?”

Not okay.

“I’m a stubborn alpha, Tully, and I’ll wait however long it takes. Can you spare me a flicker of hope?”

“Right now, I can’t spare anything. Will you still wait?”

I got to my feet with difficulty, the weight of my failures heavy on my shoulders. My stomach churned with hot snakes as I returned to Pan’s side.

I locked eyes with Tully. “The gods know I’d wait until the stars burn out for you, Tully.”

Ajax whispered his agreement as I sank into my hurt. I don’t know how long I sat there, seeing nothing. Pan kissed the side of my head and his sweet, playful scent brought me back.

“Where is everyone?” I cleared my dry throat.

“Hiding away and nursing their hurt.”