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“Those are bold words from someone with fake tan on their hands,” Pan snarked. “And dubious connections to the HLA.”

“What?” Toni turned red as my pack formed a shield behind me. “I was just chatting with your omega.”

“I heard. She has a name, Tully Hartlock, and before I have you arrested for colluding with extremists, I want you to know her series has made an impact already. We’ve raised nearly forty thousand for a music program for children in low-income areas.”

“Don’t forget she raised over one hundred thousand dollars for women in at-risk situations in a recent fundraiser,” Lloyd added.

Walden massaged my shoulders and stared down at me with a look of pride. My eyebrows knitted together. Arrested?

Toni spluttered as Walden motioned the security guards forward. “I thought alphas ruled the hierarchy, but they don’t, do they?”

“Not in this pack.” Lloyd frowned at the human until she held her bag in front of her.

“Good luck explaining how you forged paperwork to get into Starhaven,” Ajax said.

Toni blanched and slipped past my pastel pink flower wall, the guards in pursuit.

“What was that about?” I frowned.

“Don’t worry about a thing, I’ve got everything handled. You’ll never have to see her condescending face again,” Walden whispered in my ear.

Warmth blossomed in my chest. Toni wasn’t the first person to judge me and she wouldn’t be the last, but I didn’t have to deal with it on my own again.

“This looks cozy?” Clay materialized next to me, his arm hooked through Thorn’s. “Room for two more?”

Walden swallowed a low growl and settled for shuffling closer and scowling. I rolled my eyes.

Ajax pressed into my side, a twin scowl on his face. “No.”

“Gee, possessive much?” Clay added with an arched eyebrow. “Should we let go of the lease on your place in The Barracks?”

“Is there someone you know who might need it? I’ll keep paying the rent.”

Thorn’s flint eyes softened, and he looked at my pack. “You’ve got a special omega here. If you break her heart again, there isn’t a fortune in the world that could stop me from ruining you, understand?”

I protested. “I don’t need someone to fight my battles for me.”

“Get used to it, Tully.” Walden nodded at Thorn. Some of his ire faded. “You have the most powerful pack in Starhaven at your fingertips.”

My stomach clenched at the low tone of his voice.

“Oh, are we interrupting?” Seph hovered on the edge of our group, and her eyes widened as they landed on Thorn and Clay. “H-hello, I’m Seph.”

Thorn sucked in a sharp breath, and he raked a slow look up and down Seph’s slinky black dress. It set off her fiery hair like a lit match.

“That’s more like it,” Ajax muttered in my ear with a smile.

“Seph, these are my friends, Clay and Thorn.” I introduced them, fascinated by the spike in their scents, including Seph’s.

Thorn’s metallic scent turned sharp, like a hunter. “A pleasure,” he growled, and Seph shivered at the sound.

“Your pack is here somewhere?” Walden said, oblivious to the tension crackling between them.

I caught my tongue in my teeth as Thorn reined himself back behind his concrete mask. Clay made a soft noise. Disappointment?

“They’re here. I just wanted to say hi and thank you for inviting us. I hope we’ll see you soon.”

“Maybe we can organize a dinner.” Clay quipped and Thorn tensed.