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I flicked a wide-eyed look at Walden, and he scowled at Ajax, fingers poised over the keyboard of his laptop. He minimized a spreadsheet.

“Is that true?” I laughed as Walden came up to the counter and selected a plate.

“Of course not.” He pursed his lips. “Now, tell me what you’d like. I tried with the pancakes, but I’m not made for the kitchen.”

I ended up with two plates, a larger one with a mushroom omelet, hash browns, and chorizo. A second smaller one piled high with fresh fruit and a tiny ramekin filled with cream.

“Where’s Pan this morning?” I asked, my body coiled tight from waiting.

The alpha elicited such a powerful reaction in me. His charm reminded me of Chase, who was flirty by nature. Pan hadn’t masked his interest, letting me feel the full force of his desire. The memory of him stumbling around The Barracks flashed through my mind. My insides tangled. Maybe I was losing my mind.

“Probably asleep, if he’s still here.” Ajax smoothed out a grimace, stabbing a fork full of eggs.

“He won’t bother you,” Lloyd soothed, wriggling his stool a little closer.

“Oh, I’m not worried.” I took a sip of my apple juice and hummed.

Looking at the food made my chest twinge a little. My parents would have had a fit at the excessive spread. They were moderate by nature and lived life with a strict code of ethics.

We were equal, like everyone else.

Lloyd and I scraped our plates clean while Ajax and Walden toyed with their meals. I’d never been allowed to waste food. Instead, their eyes carved licks of warmth up my body, and I shivered involuntarily. My fork trembled, dropping a glob of cream down the chest of the soft cotton shirt I was wearing.

“Oh, damn it,” I cringed, waiting for a scoff that never came.

I’d claim you quicker if you weren’t such a train wreck, pretty.I shrank at the unwanted echo of the harsh alpha voice.

“So, what’s the plan today? I have work, but will assist where I can.” Walden clenched his fingers around his coffee cup.

I rubbed my hands down my arms to rid myself of the hopelessness festering inside me. When I landed on Fenella’s doorstep, I was a shell, and it had taken months for me to get feeling back. It was only supposed to be a temporary arrangement.

Until I saved up the remaining amount of money to buy my way into Astaly.

“Let me check my bullet journal. My calendar is packed.” It was a joke but no one laughed.

“What’s a bullet journal?” Ajax leaned forward.

“It’s hard to explain. It’s a blank notebook. You use it to track different things, like a calendar, but you can list what books you’ve read, daily water intake, other hobbies and interests, like a bucket list.” I flushed.

It sounded ridiculous when I said it out loud. For the second time that morning, I braced for a dismissive snort. But again, it didn’t come. Walden poised his pen over his pad and looked expectantly at me.

“It helps you feel organized? You don’t use your phone calendar?” he asked.

“It stops me from spiraling.” I laughed nervously, still expecting them to deride me as childish. “I try to stay off my phone, otherwise I can’t stop doom scrolling.”

It might seem like overkill, but I needed the foundation of my journal. The front cover said ‘Reach for the Stars.’ Had I known how bleak my future was going to end up, I might have chosen something less ambitious. If I didn’t mark out my water, I might not drink. If I didn’t pen my diet, I might subsist on junk food. Ajax looked intrigued and Lloyd let out a soft noise of pride. Walden snapped his laptop closed and frowned at his phone.

“Excuse me, one moment.” Walden flicked on the television.

“—of the human rebels. Even years on, the lingering effects remain.” The news presenter, a waspish redhead, stood next to my parents' memorial. “With the anticipation around the gala celebrating Esta Hartlock, some Designated wonder how much things have changed. One thing is certain: Starhaven still remembers and celebrates the Designated who have sacrificed for Starhaven. Back to you, Denise.”

Seeing my parents' faces in stone made me whimper. The news report cut back to the studio and my fork clattered to my plate as I saw a close-up of Chase’s face. His pack was perched on stools. Chase smirked behind his brother, Tomas. The flash of his white teeth hit me like a blow.

“Thank you, Sara. It’s times like these when we need to celebrate our innovators. Please welcome one such pack, responsible for one of the most exciting creations of our modern time. Imagine you’re an unbonded omega? Suppressants are an option, but what if you have an allergy or need a quick solution to mask your scent? Going outside can be a challenge, but not with these.” The journalist brandished a dark package with gold lining for the viewers at home to see. Chase even used my design ideas. Bile scorched my throat as Chase’s hand squeezed Seph’s shoulder.

“What was your inspiration for these scent wipes?” The journalist flushed as Chase leaned down to answer.

I couldn’t blame her. His sharp jaw, gold-flecked eyes and boy-next-door cowlick had grabbed me from the beginning. Too bad it was a front for a narcissistic alpha that swirled under his handsome visage.