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“We’ll be working closely together if that is the case.” Toni fluttered her lashes. “You’ll have to give me a personal tour of the city.”

“You’re too kind,” Walden replied, glancing at me briefly, then back at Toni.

Could he sense the self-loathing painted on my insides? I pinched my lips together in case it spilled over the table.

“You recently expanded the Communities Together program statewide, right? If I’m not wrong, that was initially your pitch?”

“My, my, Walden, I guess I’m not the only one doing research. You’re right, it was my idea, back when I worked in the health department. But taking it across states and trying to get everyone to play nice?” Toni said, shaking her head with a smile. “I don’t need to tell you, right? Endless meetings, constant policy rewrites, I just want to make positive change. I mean, if we had access to your port, it would change everything for us.”

I shifted in my seat, and my ribs tightened. There was a deep, thoughtful furrow in Walden’s brow, and his attention was entirely Toni’s. Why wouldn’t it be? They were on the same level. Policies, departments, meetings, and initiatives. I didn’t understand the nuances of these things at all.

I made stupid videos no one would ever see and scribbled in a journal. How did I ever think tottering in here on heels would be enough to mask my inadequacy?

My first proper job had been taking my clothes off for money.

Walden let out a derisive noise, but his scent swelled, lush and crisp from the praise. “My packmate, Ajax would welcome any collaborations. He’s much more inspiring to a crowd than I am. But if you want advice or resources, reach out.”

My teeth cracked as I ground them together. I bet Toni would love any extra time she could claw with Walden.

Toni pressed her hands together. Her perfectly manicured nails glinted in the candlelight. “Oh, best believe I will do that. I think we can do great things together.”

The smile on my face was hollow. It was all I could manage during the conversation. I poked the half-eaten salmon on my plate. Would it be childish if I excused myself to the bathroom? Would anyone even notice? Nestled between Toni’s brash confidence and Walden’s natural authority, I shrank into the background.

I didn’t belong in this space with these people.

They were driving change in a world I barely existed in.

I looked down the table to see if I could catch the eye of Lloyd, Ajax, or Pan, but they were all deep in conversation.

“So, I have to know more about the woman who captured Walden Baylark’s heart.” Toni turned, her tone polite but curious. “Did you meet through the foundation? We both know this workaholic doesn’t go anywhere else.”

I stiffened at her over-familiarity. Both toward me and Walden. Like she knew him outside of his suit.

“Don’t reform him, Ms. Syme. He works overtime hours unpaid,” Mr. Nife interrupted with a quip and his gaze slid over me like glass.

The question hung in the air, and my cheeks warmed. “Oh, I-I’m not employed at the foundation. I think the work Walden and his pack do is incredible. I, um, work in a different field.” I stifled the crack in my tone, but not how small my voice sounded.

Toni tilted her head, and I shuddered under her harsh inspection, knowing she found me wanting.Just don’t ask me what field. I begged the gods for mercy. I knew this would happen. It was why I didn’t want to come.

“Marketing?” Toni prodded. “Don’t tell me you were his PA?”

“I’m a videographer.”

It wasn’t a lie, technically. I had always wanted to make documentaries before I realized how stupid the idea was.

Walden cleared his throat. “Tully is a Hartlock. You would know all about our family’s long history together.” Walden filled in when I didn’t elaborate.

His pride was a punch to my stomach. He smiled down at me, not realizing how his words sliced my insides to ribbons.

A Hartlock.

How many times had I said I wanted to be more than my name, and yet that was the first thing he bragged about me?

“Oh.” Toni sipped her wine, and her gaze narrowed over the rim of her glass. “Your parents were killed by the HLA, weren’t they?”

The casual way she mentioned my parents' deaths made me seize up. How does one even respond to that question?

“Yes.”