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“Let me finish washing you and I can show you something I’ve been working on.” Walden dragged the washcloth down my chest.

Their scents and mine mingled with such ease.

“I’ve made a spreadsheet with some ideas. I thought Fridays could be date night. We went about things backward, so I would like to schedule our courting. I think individual dates per week on Wednesdays. I’ve color-coded it,” Walden explained as his hands washed my tender body clean.

“Walden.” Ajax threw his hands up. “Spreadsheets are not romantic. If you need wooing, treasure, we can dazzle you.” Ajax waggled his eyebrow.

“We have a few work dinners coming up as well, and you on our arm would be good practice for reclaiming your name,” Walden added.

I chewed on my bottom lip. Going out in public filled me with dread. But I’d been alone when Chase insisted I become his mistress. Now I had Baylark Pack.

Bright possibilities spread out in front of me. My heart was big and bruised. There were scars it would never heal from. But I couldn’t let that keep me from living.

“I think I’m ready.”

“Also, my sisters want to visit you. I’ll leave that request up to you.”

The tension, which had been as suffocating as a blanket, dissipated as Lloyd slipped, naked, into the bath. His mouth descended on mine, taking with it any worries I harbored.

Maybe I didn’t trust them completely, but in their arms, I felt safe.

21

Tully

It had been a week since my heat and I still harbored hesitancy. I was trying to give the Baylark Pack the benefit of the doubt, but I couldn’t change a lifetime of belief overnight. I brushed back my hair, frizzy on the ends, with a grimace as Walden’s sisters filled the upscale boutique with a chorus of delight. They tossed their sleek, dark bobs in near unison. While they weren’t identical, they moved in such a similar fashion it gave an uncanny feeling. The saleswoman watched them with wide eyes.

“Oh, I’ve been dying to shop here.” Sybil slipped off her scarf and strode straight to the racks.

“What my sister meant to say is thank you for agreeing to spend time with us.” Lorna brushed her perfect manicure over my shoulder.

Their six-inch heels lent them enough height to make me shrink a little. The combination of their tropical scents, mango, pineapple, and watermelon, coaxed at my tight muscles, but nothing could soften my nerves.

Beatrice threw her arms out and squealed, pulling up short as Walden growled from beside me.

“Go easy, please.” His gaze roved over me as I stood and wiped my clammy hands down my thighs.

“Alright, bro, we’re not going to hurt her.” Beatrice rolled her eyes.

“My ears beg to differ.” Walden winced. He readjusted the pocket square in his elegant suit after his sisters smothered him in hugs. My chest twinged at their easy, familial affection.

Lorna let out a long-suffering sigh as she tucked a strand of her dark bob behind her ear, covered in multiple piercings.

“Is he always this bossy?” Lorna slid me a look.

“You should know, he was yours long before he was mine.” I volleyed, my lungs aching as Walden’s cheeks flushed bright red with pleasure.

Mine. He was, wasn’t he?

Walden fussed with his wallet, sliding a platinum card over to the salesperson, a bubbly omega who snatched the card with saucer.wide eyes.

“Oh,” Sybil clocked his heated cheeks and picked up a cracker from a platter on a side table. “That’s a cute color on you, Wally.”

“Don’t even think about giving me a nickname. Now, I’ll leave you to it. I’m available anytime, for anything, alright?” Walden pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead, and his sisters mock swooned into the plush couch until he scowled. “Don’t let them push you into buying anything you don’t want.”

“Can we call you if we need anything? Like to check my personal budget?” Beatrice teased.

“No, you can leave a message with my assistant.” Walden shook his head.