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I’d put so much time and energy into my sobriety and healing my relationships that piano became a yearning memory. Until Walden and Tully found my current therapist. She was helping me rebuild the pathways needed to play. Patience and grace glued the cracks my past actions left. Combined with the support of my lovers and pack, I knew I could do it. Tully pulsed inside me, a constant reminder of the glitter life glowed with now.

“Clay is bringing Puck over tomorrow for lessons. I think Thorn is coming with him.”

Walden made a face. While the rest of the pack had become close friends with the two, Walden held out. Jealous for no reason. Our omega was blissfully happy with us. I now only longed for one thing. I wanted to breed my omega for real.

“Anyway, enough about me.” I screwed up my napkin and tossed it on the plate. “Was there a reason you chose this place for a date? It’s right on the edge of the city.”

“It’s romantic. They do a mean scotch fillet.” Walden’s lips twitched.

His hand groped across the table, and he snatched my hand to press it against his lips. Our relationship was stable, strong thanks to the fluttering omega underneath our ribs. She was our missing puzzle piece and made the love I had for Walden brighter and joyful.

“But.” I arched an eyebrow.

A sheepish gleam sparkled in his eye and he jerked his head to the right where a man was filling his arms with empty plates. There was a shade of someone I once knew. Chestnut hair, cut close to his skull and gaunt shadows clung to a face I would know anywhere.

“CJ,” I hissed, and Walden squeezed my hand. “When did he get out?”

“A month ago.”

“I’m still mad he only got six months.”

CJ’s shoulders hunched in, and it looked like a permanent thing. As if the weight of the world weighed them down. Good. My stomach clenched with the need for revenge. Tully suffered a long, draining court case to get vindication for what he did to her. His lawyer attempted to argue that CJ had been overwhelmed by her omega scent, and because of their past relationship, he thought the attraction was reciprocated.

“I’ll never stop being furious about it.” Walden frowned.

“You could always run for mayor again, make sure nothing like this could happen again.”

“I have no regrets about my choice. The foundation is enough to keep me busy and still have time for what matters, you, Tully, and our pack. Besides, you know me, pup. Actions not words.”

Walden had realized instead of pushing himself to the brink professionally that he needed to find a work life balance that wouldn’t burn him out. Holidays were a regular occurrence now, including an annual one with his family. Seeing him surrounded by all the people who loved him made my insides wobble with joy.

“One moment, sir—” CJ’s polite tone turned into a strangled squawk as he realized who was sitting near him.

Fear crumbled his facade and his features sagged. A precariously balanced plate slid from the stack and onto the glossy wood floor. A shrill crack filled my ears as the porcelain shattered. CJ looked down at the mess with a barely stifled whimper.

“Take those out back,” CJ’s manager rained apologies as CJ slunk away.

“It’s no problem.” Walden slid from the seat and pulled a wad of cash from his hand. “Is he still learning?”

The manager processed our bill and pulled a face. “It’s his first night. But I doubt I’ll offer him a job after this. Our apologies again, Mr. Baylark.”

“What a shame.” I stifled a laugh.

CJ returned with a pan and brush, blanching when we wandered over to him. I liked him small like this. He deserved it for what he’d done to my omega.

“I did my time,” CJ protested in a fierce whisper. “I paid my debt.”

Walden let out a sharp laugh.

“Maybe in the eyes of the law. But not mine. I’ll never forget the scars you left on my omega, and I’ll never let you either.”

“It wasn’t enough to have me beat up in jail? I know that was your doing.”

Walden tilted his head, gaze steel. I knew his body language well enough that it was true, but I hadn’t known about it. A bubble of harsh laughter brewed in my throat. Had Walden been terrorizing him this whole time, without saying a word?

“It will never be enough, remember that, CJ.”

Walden threaded our fingers together and tugged me toward the door. He didn’t look back, and neither did I.