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I reached for my alpha, and his breath puffed against my neck.

“Are we ok?” I whispered.

I’d been falling apart for the last month, unable to think about my campaign or anything else. Pan was the one holdingme together and fighting for his future. He’d quit drinking altogether, and started going to our therapist, Dr. Hanes, individually. He was also in another program to help support his recovery from addiction.

“I know what Tully means, when she says she’s in awe of you. You are an intimidating man to love. I know my heart hasn’t been the easiest to hold, either. Tully is the balance we both need. I bring out the worst in you, and she brings out the best.”

I pulled back, squinting at Pan. “What are you talking about?”

“The drinking, the drugs, the public scenes. I know they’re not things you want in a lover.”

I laced my fingers with Pan’s and leaned forward to cut off his words with a kiss.

“You take my breath away, pup. There is no one in this world who has a spark like you do. I’m sorry if you ever felt like you had to dim your shine to stand next to me. I’m proud of your strength, and your heart is cherished in my hands.”

Pan crawled into my lap and I held him against me like a buoy.

“We’re going to win her back, daddy,” he whispered, and I nodded in the crook of his neck.

Our omega wanted nothing to do with us.

But I was a determined, stubborn alpha, and I would not give up. Tully didn’t want words, but she said nothing about actions.

Be patient. Be here. Never give up.

I breathed and promised myself. Tully didn’t know what she’d unleashed in my chest, but she would. There wasn’t an obstacle in this world that could keep me from winning my place in her heart.

36

Tully

“You couldn’t stay away?” Clay called out from across the piano room. Puck was sitting on the bench of the broken piano. The whites of Clay’s eyes flared when he saw Pan follow behind me.

“I have some good news.” I opened the double doors to reveal the alpha moving team and the new upright piano on their trolley.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a gift. I promised the kid a new piano for his lessons, remember? I’ve got workbooks coming as well.” He held up a stack of music sheets and put them on the table.

Clay wrung his hands and shot me a look. “Excuse me?”

When Pan said he was delivering a piano to Clay’s studio, I tagged along. Being back in Baylark Pack’s house was suffocating, and the memories we created still held such aprecious sheen. It made it hard to remember the reason I was there.

Not for love, but revenge.

I needed a distraction and a reminder of why I was doing all this. It was for the people who the council had forgotten in The Barracks. Darren, the real Darren, had also agreed to meet with me and Pan insisted on coming as bodyguard.

Puck let out a whistle. “This is fancy.”

“Courtesy of the Baylark Foundation. Do you mind if we get a few photos, or even interview you?”

“If I say no?” Clay frowned.

“You get to keep it, regardless. Do you have any use for keyboards? The Foundation wants to donate any other instruments you think might be useful.”

Clay shrugged, excitement made his expression bright. This is what I’d been missing when I languished in Fenella’s apartment, thinking my life was over. Being a part of something positive. Maybe I wasn’t the perfect Hartlock like my parents wanted. But making a difference in one life was worth it. The piano would help Clay keep his lessons up, and with more resources? Even more children would have access to lessons.

I grabbed a piece of cloth and dusted down the piano while the two men chatted. The movement made my shoulder ache. I’d inspected the mark Chase left this morning with some trepidation. He hadn’t broken the skin, but he’d left a nasty bruise. The skin was tender to touch and radiated with heat.