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His lips slanted over mine in sinful possession. As he pulled away, Pan had red lipstick smeared over his lips, but unlike Walden, he made no move to remove it. Walden finally joined us and he dropped a kiss on Pan’s lips with a shake of his head.

Flashes rang out. There was no missing the affection and what it meant for our pack.

Our pack?

Lloyd and Ajax flanked us as Walden and Pan kissed again. Seeing Walden reveal his heart to the world made my knees buckle.

“Can I have a kiss?” Ajax murmured and his hand found mine. He squeezed it three times.

“What does this mean?” I squeezed him back and his hazel gaze plunged deep inside me.

“I.”Squeeze.“Love.”Squeeze.“You.”Squeeze.

Cameras flashed, and I straightened my smile for their benefit as I searched his expression.

“Ajax.” He’d been squeezing my hand like that since we met.

“What do you want me to say? It’s the truth.” He slid his arm around my shoulder.

Hazelnut and coffee rolled over me. Rich and beautiful. My heart bruised my ribs, and tears threatened the back of my eyes. Ajax pulled a tissue from his pocket with a flourish and Lloyd snatched it from him to dab at my eyes.

“You never said it.”

“You were pretty strict about words with Walden. Actions only. We all love you, Tully. I was too worried about being rejected. If my heart wasn’t so full of you, I’d be braver. Now, I’d say it a thousand times if you let me.”

It wasn’t the right time for the declaration, but I dragged my hand through his beard and let the world fall away. The camera flash brightened the shadows in his hazel eyes.

“I wouldn’t reject you. You could say it as much as you like.”

His breath hitched. “Really? Y-you?”

Ajax didn’t have time to finish his sentence as Pan whirled back, intent on me.

“But it’s my time to shine,” Pan interrupted breezily. He snatched my hand and herded me in front of the photographer. “Smile, my angel.”

He dragged down my collar to reveal my silvery bond mark, and it was as if someone put a wooden spoon in the crowd and stirred it. The photographer’s mouth dropped open.

“That’s right.” Pan kissed my shoulder, lingering. “My beautiful omega has a gorgeous new mark.”

Pan throbbed dark, wonderful, and wild inside me. A pulse between my legs. The rest of the pack pressed in around us and their combined scents made my mouth water.

“Tully, Tully, you’ve joined Baylark Pack?” A voice called out, and the focus of the conference shifted.

“Are you ready for this?” Ajax muttered in my ear.

Was I ready?It was too late now, I thought as I gave a small nod.

“Hartlock Pack. We’re taking our omega’s name,” Walden corrected.

The frenzy intensified, and we shuffled through the fray while answering a thousand questions. It was pandemonium. I spotted Seph ahead of us and a part of me twinged. I’d invited her, but I was still surprised she came.

“You’re discarding your name?” One question struck me like an arrow. “What about your ambitions as mayor?”

“I am beyond proud of my heritage and the Baylark name. I’m not giving up anything by choosing to become a Hartlock, rather, gaining the pack of my dreams.”

The raucous noise of surprised Designated rose around us and my ears rang.

“Nice touch. They’re eating that up.” I patted Walden’s chest absentmindedly.