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“Fine,” I said.

Ajax shook his head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He clicked the connect button, and the speaker tone rang barely a beat before the irate voice of Roger Nife filled the conference room.

“The screen is black. Is it meant to be black?” he huffed. “Baylark Pack, I assume you can hear me, even though I can’t see your faces.”

“Sorry, Rog, we’ve had some technical issues this morning, but we’re eager to get ahead, so back to you.” Ajax handled our VP like putty and he spluttered with barely mollified frustration. I could picture him clearly, his jowls shaking with disapproval, cheeks plum and chest puffed. He was more exhausting and needy than any omega in Starhaven.

“Well, get Saffa to look at it. You hired an IT whiz, the least you can do is use her.”

“We most certainly would, except that we’re working from the home office today.”

“Walden is?” Roger’s snort of disbelief filled the room, and I frowned.

Was it so unbelievable that I might work from home? It was as if no one had ever seen me take a break before.

“First the spontaneous time off, now this? You’re not going to have a mental breakdown before we announce your campaign, are you?”

“Shall we get started on the agenda?” I ignored him. We were here to work, and the sooner we finished, the sooner I could take a break and check in on Tully. I couldn’t get the pint-sized omega out of my mind. I fidgeted with my laptop and cleared my throat. “Did you want to give us an update on Astaly? Has their high prince deigned to give us an answer yet?”

Roger floated the idea of sending an invitation through the ambassador. Hoping it might get a faster response from our ally.

“We got a very abrupt reply from his secretary, supposedly his highness is knee deep in a political crisis right now. Perhaps you could reach out personally. I know you’ve had some conversation with him, Walden.”

I frowned as Ajax jotted down a note on the pad beside him. Pan rolled his eyes. I’d met the high prince once, on my only trip to Astaly. The city was clean, impressive, and so damn cold. I couldn’t shake the eerie sense of being watched wherever we went. We’d met the high prince briefly, as a pack, and Pan had instantly disliked the alpha.

They were Designated, like us, but they couldn’t be more different. Their royal family enforces rigid rules, from their citizens’ dress to curfews.

“I’ll try, but I can’t say I’ll have more success than you.”

“We spoke about this, Walden. If you want to run for mayor, you need to have something that sets you apart. Support from our allies, it’s huge. You do still want this, don’t you?” Roger grumbled through the line and there was a moment of silence as he shuffled through his pages.

Ah, my campaign. Mayor. It had been my goal for years. All the long hours and sacrifices were for this moment.

“I’ve been a little distracted, but don’t worry, I’m committed.”

Pan clenched his jaw and stared down at his hands. Was he thinking about the botched announcement? I was supposed to be campaigning already, but the scandal of what happened would have tarnished the night. This was my last chance before it became too late. These things took years of planning, prepping, and organization.

What about Tully?

The thought of my sweet omega flooded my chest with warmth. I already considered us committed. She had her doubts about herself, but I would make her see how wonderful she was.

“Look, I know it’s none of my business, but I heard some whispers and I need you to be upfront with me.”

“What?”

“Someone reported seeing a pretty little omega with a famous last name arm in arm with the Baylark triplets. They wereoverheard discussing her heat and howyourpack was the one who attended her. Is there truth to this at all, because if there is…”

Fuck.

I clenched my jaw. The shopping trip had been a risk, one we’d spoken about. It wasn’t something I wanted to keep secret. Tully was skittish about being seen, because of her past. I knew my sisters would take good care of her, though. She’d left their company with some sparkle in her eye. They’d rung me afterwards and spent an hour warning me not to mess it up.

“Our personal life choices don’t seem relevant right now, Rog.” Ajax tried to steer the conversation away.

“They do if you want this gala to be a success, and if you’re serious about running for mayor. A Hartlock omega is a symbol, and a powerful one.”

My name, my legacy, was enough, but with a Hartlock? I would be unstoppable.

“What would you say if a Hartlock could, hypothetically, attend the gala? Not confirming any rumors,” I said.