Page 38 of Omega Forged (Hartlock Omegas #2)

Tully

I clutched my arms around myself.

“No.” Walden shook his head, and a furrow appeared in his brow that caught my breath.

There was disappointment in the dark shadow, I was sure.

“I don’t think I can do it, Walden,” I admitted.

He pulled me into his embrace. Irritation sparked in me at how easily he made me pliant when I wanted to hold on to my sharp nerves. I didn’t want to capitulate, not with my throat covered in bile like it was.

“I thought that was the point of your delicious show the other day, to claim Tahlia’s confidence for yourself?”

I gripped the edge as my vision narrowed to pricks.

“That was a stupid idea.”

“You’re kidding me, right? It was a revelation. But I want Tully Hartlock on my arm, not anyone else. Although Tahlia is a naughty little minx.”

Walden tugged on his navy-blue suit jacket.

He’d shined his shoes earlier while dread dragged my stomach down.

The rest of the pack, dressed and waiting, pretended not to listen.

Lloyd flipped through the TV stations, at least making some effort.

But Pan and Ajax leaned subtly in our direction, waiting for my excuses.

“My lungs hurt. I feel like I’m going to be sick,” I whispered.

“Talk to me, tell me why.”

“After I presented as an omega, we didn’t mingle with many people.

But my parents took me to a gala once. I got a new dress, and my hair done.

” I lifted one of my strands with a flat smile.

“Your family wasn’t there, and I’m sure that’s one of the few reasons we attended. Everyone was so excited to meet me.”

I flinched as the memory returned in full. Walden cupped my face, his smile infuriatingly patient.

“Of course they were.”

“You don’t understand. I watched it happen.

These people ate up the name Hartlock, like it was edible gold.

But as soon as I opened my mouth, the interest faded.

So, I talked more and tried harder. I threw myself at these strangers, hoping to keep that spark alive.

But it wasn’t there—because I’m not—I’m not… ” I couldn’t say it.

Not when my throat was raw with the truth. Ugly and sharp.

What could I bring to this pack except my name and a pretty face?

I didn’t want to hear Walden agree with me, though. His thumbs brushed my cheeks, the smile still in place.

“And?” His response made me pause.

My ribs choked tight, and my throat narrowed. What did he mean and ? I’d just spilled my fears, and he dismissed it like lint on a sleeve.

“I told you…” I pulled out of Walden’s tender hold.

His comfort made me bristle. Was he being condescending? Walden’s fingers dragged down to my shoulders, and he held me tight. His scent was thick, and it cleared the confusion despite my resistance.

He dropped his voice to a low rumble. “Let me tell you the secret of having a name that precedes you. You’re the one who holds the power, not them. If they don’t see something in you, it’s not on you to fix it.” He touched my bracelet.

WWED. What Would Esta Do?

His gaze was a laser on mine. “Do you think she gave a damn what people thought about her when she flaunted the old Hierarchy Laws? How do you think our lives would be if she’d let opinions stop her from venturing into the wildlands?”

“But I’m not Esta, I’m not strong.” My protest was more like a whimper.

“Your parents sheltered you, and because of it, someone took advantage of you.” His face darkened. “More than one person, if you count Fenella. You survived by yourself, but you don’t have to do that anymore.”

My chin fell. There was a tightness in my chest I couldn’t shift. I shook my head in automatic dismissal of his words. I wasn’t a survivor by strength but cowardice. The only reason I survived while my parents died was because I didn’t live up to their expectations.

The memory of the last time I saw them came back, tasting like ash.

“This is your chance, Tully.” My mom slid her backpack on, exhaling to shift the strands of hair that fell over her eyes.

I tried to find myself in their features, their habits and the stark differences left me feeling more alien than ever.

My dad clamped his hand on my shoulder, waiting with his eyebrows raised. I knew what they wanted.

For me to go with them. I hugged my camera to my chest.

“Do I have to?” It sounded like petulant teenage whining, even to me, and my parents’ faces shuttered with barely concealed disappointment. Dad’s hand slid off and the tingle of his touch lingered like a brand.

“Of course not, but this is our community and they need us? I know you’re scared, but put that aside.”

“Why do you have to be the one to save this city from the HLA? Isn’t that a job for the people who run it, the police?” I followed them to the door, hoping I could convince them to stay.

But they walked to the car without pausing.

“That’s what it means to be a Hartlock, daughter. We are pioneers, trendsetters, and we don’t cower in the face of adversity.”

It was a carefully packaged rebuke, one that stung for hours until I heard a knock on the door. And my world changed in an instant.

I blinked, the memory hot behind my eyes.

“I see the disappointment on my parents’ faces so clearly, like it was yesterday. It’s not just strangers who see through me.” My voice cracked and the three heads on the couch turned toward us, all pretenses abandoned. Well, they should know who they are dealing with.

But I didn’t want to see the change roll over their faces, too.

I was the first Hartlock omega since Esta and there was nothing special about me to warrant it.

Walden chucked his fingers under my chin.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Walden whispered.

“Every day I feel like I don’t deserve the opportunities I have.

I think they will notice and kick me out.

” He waved behind him, ‘they,’ meaning the outside world.

“I’ve had to work hard for many years to feel like I earned my place.

You’re at the beginning, so hold my hand tonight.

Let me guide you. If it all becomes too much, we can leave. What do you say?”

His words didn’t ease the terror gripping my lungs. I’d put too much power in my thoughts for one comment to make a difference. But Walden was patient, letting me gather the scraps of courage I owned.

I wasn’t brave, but I wanted to be.

Could that be enough?

I hid and ran from nearly everything that frightened me in life, and I was tired of running.

“I’m holding you to your promise.” I caught his hand in mine and laced our fingers together.

The roughness of them scraped against my soft skin. I could pretend his strength was mine.

Walden pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “You’ve nothing to worry about.”

Walden was a liar.

I brushed a wrinkle out of my pink slip dress and laid my napkin over my lap.

I needn’t have worried about picking out the perfect outfit, because after my initial introduction, everyone looked right through me.

Including Walden, though he kept my hand anchored on his lap, all while talking animatedly with the vice president of the Baylark Foundation.

Mr. Nife was a short, stout man with a handlebar mustache and a lingering scent of wax. My fragile hope shattered as the excitement banked in Mr. Nife’s gaze flickered out like the battery on my laptop when I needed power the most.

I’d been tongue-tied throughout the stream of introductions.

It was happening all over again. The only one who didn’t notice was Walden. Lloyd, Pan, and Ajax were all seated at the other end of the table and I was glad they weren’t witnesses to my failed attempt at socializing.

“I sent a personal email to the prince. I’ll let you know if he bothers to RSVP,” Walden snorted.

Somehow, he made it sound elegant.

My hands sweated profusely, but my anxiety wouldn’t let me release Walden.

The long table glowed with the flicker of tea lights, but I couldn’t meet anyone in the eye.

I let my gaze drift to the open kitchen and focused on the chefs working their magic.

Sifted through my thoughts to find something interesting to say to the woman on my opposite side.

Think, Tully. Gods, my brain is like a loaf of bread. Dense as fuck.

My harried thoughts were interrupted as another woman swapped seats with my table-mate. Toni Syme had introduced herself earlier. She was the human delegate, appointed after the HLA rebels attacked Starhaven. It was her job to facilitate the relationship between Designated and humans.

I hadn’t spoken with many humans before. She unnerved me.

Young yet ambitious, she was in her early thirties. She leaned over me and tapped a long nail on Walden’s suit.

“Walden, I need to pick your brain. Your foundation is thriving if what I’ve heard about the gala is true.

Yet you still find time to date? Tell me your secret to juggling it all.

” She let out a playful laugh, rich like bold wine.

She continued to lean across, not sparing a flicker of attention to me.

“No secrets, Toni, late nights and spreadsheets mostly. Plus, never underestimate the power of a vicious PA. Somebody has to help me keep my calendar clean.”

Miss Syme’s eyes twinkled, and I wriggled my seat back, suffocated by her presence. A whiff of perfume seared my nostrils, chemical irritation. It didn’t seem to bother Walden.

“Please, you’re too modest. Didn’t you spearhead the Dignity Initiative for struggling Designated? Plus, I saw the data, projected growth by twenty percent this year, right? If I had half your ambition.” Toni whistled.

Walden laughed softly. “You’ve been doing your research. But it’s hardly just me. Baylark Pack is a team.”