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It had been years since I’d seen him. He recognized me, but he said nothing.

His powerful body looked comical, folded into the driver’s seat. I peeked at him, or more specifically, his giant hands. He wrapped them around the steering wheel like he wanted to strangle the leather. Knuckles white. Veins popped. The traffic light changed in front of us and Walden braked. He was a methodical, slow driver, and I appreciated that he took corners at a considered pace. Like the trunk of the car was filled withcrystal, and he was desperate to keep the precious cargo intact. The light turned red, and our gazes clashed. My cheeks heated at being caught staring at him again.

Why didn’t he say anything?

The confrontation with the paparazzi, the chance meeting, all of it made my head spin, and I wanted to lie down. But I couldn’t let my guard down. It was just my luck that the first time I stepped outside in a long time I was photographed almost homeless.

I thought Walden would lecture me.

Our families had been closely connected for years. The two longest-lasting legacy packs of Starhaven used to do everything together. But my beta parents weren’t interested in prestige. They didn’t want to live in a mansion paid for by the wealth of the Hartlock name.

So, they raised me like any other family, separate from the galas, the glitz, and the glam of high society. They wanted to make a difference in the lives of all Designated, not just the ones dripping in diamonds.

They were idealistic and look where it got them.

My skin crawled at the thought of being exposed and shoved into a spotlight I had never acclimated to. I spun the bracelet on my hand, a gift that changed the trajectory of my life.

What would Esta do?

Not get in the car with two men who had seen far too much of her. She’d probably have a meltdown at seeing a car in the first place, but that was beside the point.

Still, what were my options? The second I stepped foot in the Omega Center, they would want my identification. My anonymity would be destroyed. Hotels needed proof of identification before they would give me a room, and because of my unbound omega status, most wouldn’t be able to accept me, anyway. I was at risk wherever I went.

But it wasn’t just my name coming out that frightened me, it was the thought of Chase finding me like he promised.

My stomach swirled with sloshes of unease.

“Ajax, you mentioned Fenella. How did you know her?”

He was sitting in the seat in front of me. They’d cracked the windows an inch to help with the influx of agitated alpha scent. The cold was manageable now that I was covered in Walden and Lloyd’s clothes.

“I don’t know how to tell you this,” Ajax started slow. “But we recently went on a date with her, and she was wearing a jacket with your scent.”

He gave me confirmation of what I already knew and I reeled with questions, unlikely to get an answer. The viciousness with which Fenella threw me out still bounced around inside my skull. Was she punishing me for the failed attempt to win the Baylark Pack over?

“Scent stealing,” Walden growled. “I can facilitate pressing charges.”

“N-no, that’s unnecessary.” I stammered, nervous to talk to him directly.

I’d touched myself with the combination of Baylark Pack in my nostrils. Imagine if I told the perfect Walden Baylark that.

Lloyd curled against his door, giving me more space than I needed. If I closed my eyes, I could imagine we were on the beach. Sunscreen massaged into my shoulders and the waves crashing in the background. I meant it when I said his scent was comforting. It reminded me of my childhood. Of summer days spent slow and drenched in laughter. Before everything changed. His lie rankled me, but I couldn’t hold it against him.

I was a liar as well.

I understood his predilection with status. Being the only beta in the pack would have been jarring for anyone’s self-esteem. There was a history carved into the powerful alpha who drove us,and it showed in his side profile. Like he’d been born with innate elegance. My bones felt brittle and ineffectual in response. Ajax intimidated me in the same way. His bulky strength screamed power.

“We’re here,” Lloyd breathed.

Here being one of the most prestigious, gated communities in Starhaven, Saint Hill. Expensive wrought-iron gates swung open, and the security guard tipped his hat as Walden drove through. The streets were wide, lined with green-hued trees. The branches reached across the street.

Idyllic.

I straightened as Walden pulled down another gated driveway, towards a large white house. It might have taken its inspiration from a barn or a ranch, but there was nothing plain about the mansion. Neat, trimmed hedges lined the stately driveway. We drove through a pass way and into an opening that sloped down to a gigantic underground garage. I spotted at least six cars as Walden maneuvered us into a spacious, empty spot. The wheels squealed on the glossy gray floor.

“Tully?” Lloyd danced his fingers across the seat, perhaps recognizing my overwhelm.

Had I really expected anything less from Baylark Pack?