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“Before I became a drug addict?” He growled at the ceiling, “Kieran was the one who gave me my first pill. Did you know that? Right now, the only thing I’m committed to is getting well and being worthy of my pack and you, Tully.”

My stomach dropped past the floor. His own teacher gave him drugs? I’d assumed he’d fallen in with the wrong crowd at PAMA. Tully made a soft noise, swallowed by the outraged shout my dad let out.

“Sit down,” he barked. “This isn’t how Mythos comport themselves.”

Pan trembled before he flung himself into the chair. He let out a panting gasp, wrapping his arms around himself.

“I’m a Baylark,” he spat. “I’m a…”Hartlock.His gaze blistered with heat, and Tully leaned back against me like she felt it buffeting to her.

“Kieran understands the struggles of being so talented and he’s willing to—”

“Did you not hear him?” Tully snapped, and her scent clouded my senses. Thick with anger. “He struggles with addiction and you want him to work with the Designated who introduced him to substances in the first place?”

My dad’s head swiveled, and his jaw dropped open before clicking shut.

“Excuse me?” My mom’s voice shook. “This isn’t your business.”

“It should be yours, but you don’t really care about him as an alpha, do you? Only what he can doforyou.”

“I won’t be lectured by someone likeyou,” my dad spat.

My insides turned into icicles. I laid my hand on Tully’s thigh.

“Speak your next words carefully,” I warned my parents.

Tully’s cheeks flushed, the only sign she was bothered.

“Someone with more name recognition than your family could ever dream of using for clout?” Tully said.

“We’ve all seen the news. The Mythos name has standards.”

Tully let out a laugh, strained with bitterness. She turned to me. “How did you grow up so sweet with such assholes for parents?”

“Neglect does wonders,” I joked.

My mom let out an embarrassed squawk. “Please, can’t we enjoy our visit? There’s no need to fight. Look, I bought gifts for you both. Go on, open it.”

She passed a rectangle wrapped one to me and as I held it numb creeped over my chest. The paper was thick, with navy velvet appliques and a matching ribbon. I should have been pleased they remembered to bring me something, but I wasn’t. Tully leaned her arm against mine. Was it by mistake, or was she offering me comfort?

Pan tore the paper on his and let out a soft noise. It was a framed piece of music, brown with age, and the ink faded.

“This is Tears of the Moon.” Pan swallowed hard.

I knew the song. He played it on his first PAMA performance.

“It’s an original. We thought it would help motivate you. One day, another prodigy will hold your music and feel the same way.”

Pan stared down at the priceless gift with a glum expression. For a moment, our gazes clashed, but he glanced away. I fingered the edge of the wrapping paper as Tully nudged me.

“Open yours,” she whispered.

I did as she asked, hating myself for the stab of anger that cut through me as the book was revealed.

“100 Ways to Lose Weight?” Tully snatched up the book with trembling fingers and my mom nodded, oblivious to her outraged tone.

“We know you struggle with your discipline, Ajax. We thought this would help.” My dad patted his flat stomach, and I wanted to sink into the floor.

My cheeks went hot as Tully snatched the book and brandished it above her head.