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Tully’s lower lip caught between her teeth, and she nodded slightly, as if comforting herself.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you’re being sincere,”she whispered. “There is something between us I can’t rationalize. But how we met was so unconventional and it’s hard to believe. My heart, my body, they want to trust you. But…” her nostrils flared, and her eyebrows rose.

But I’d already lied to her.

My stomach dropped, but I added my other hand to our joined ones and squeezed tight, hoping it was an anchor. There was no point denying it, any Designated with a nose could scent my deception. My heart knew the tenuous link between us wouldn’t survive if I didn’t practice radical honesty. I sucked in a rattling breath. Now it was my turn for my scent to turn sharp.

“Yes, I’m not an alpha.” I shifted uncomfortably under her shuttered gaze.

“You’re also part of Baylark Pack.” She added it like an insult.

She tried to tug her hands free, and I rushed to explain. “I’m a beta.” I closed my eyes to avoid her judgment. “There is so much going on in my life that I don’t know how to even explain. I’m the only beta in a pack of three alphas and it’s hard not to feel invisible. The history of the Baylark name surprised me. I didn’t realize it would mean being scrutinized all the time, and it mademe insecure. When I made my profile, it was a stupid decision I regret. I’m sorry for lying. I’ll promise right now, I won’t ever lie to you again.”

The seat shifted as a soft warmth curled into my side. My eyes flew open in surprise, looking down at Tully, slack-jawed. She offered me a lopsided, tired smile.

“Fenella returned home from a date after borrowing my jacket. She threw it in my face. Grape bubblegum, hazelnut. They’re the scents of your packmates, right? I couldn’t stop smelling it. Couldn’t stop from touching myself. I was so wound up when I called you. I didn’t know the sunscreen and sea salt scent were you, but somehow, you came to my mind. I was prepared to never speak to you again. But now you’re here. I might be cynical, but if the gods want me by your side, I’m going to listen.”

“Tully.” My lungs stung as I sucked in a breath.

“For now,” she added, a warning.

Her hushed admission sharpened my pleasure. My perspective of that incredible night changed and my whole body flushed with heat. She’d been thinking of me? Of my pack? I didn’t deserve such blessings, but I would take them.

I reached into the front and grabbed her bullet journal, careful to keep her close.

“I collected this when you ran. Talk to me, are you in trouble?”

It was obvious she was, but I wanted to know what had driven her to lug what appeared to be her entire life out into the brisk winter. Tully clasped it to her chest with a wet sob and sank into me again, her fingers seeking mine.

“My roommate kicked me out.”

“Were you heading to a hotel? I don’t know any close to here safe for omegas.”

Tully shook her head, and I waited, hoping she might tell me the truth. I swallowed past the lump in my throat. There were a thousand questions banked in the raw column. Tully was safewith me. I would give her the space she needed to recharge. I flicked a look at Walden and Ajax outside. When they joined us, they might not be as understanding. That was something I could give her as a beta, shelter from overbearing alphas.

“My pack… they are…” I started, but she shushed me.

I trailed off, half-drunk on the delicious scent that wound around me. Her eyelashes fluttered to her cheek and her weight folded against me. I wanted to warn her we were dysfunctional and the dynamics between us weren’t as pretty as the Baylark name suggested. I gave our entwined hands a little squeeze.

It would keep.

Right now, Tully needed a safe place to sleep, and we could certainly offer her that.

“You’ll take care of me, won’t you?” she murmured, and I sagged against the seat.

She might insist on being cynical, but she put her trust in me so easily, even after lying about my Designation. I would guard that trust with everything I had and never give her another reason to doubt me.

“Always, honey girl. I’m your man.”

Her soft, warm laugh dripped through my skin and replaced my blood.

9

Tully

Rain droplets covered the car window, their harried paths like my mind. Thoughts piled on top of each other. My exhaustion surprised and embarrassed me, so much that I retreated to the other side of the car when Walden and Ajax returned.

Baylark Pack. Walden.