Page 44 of Omega Forged (Hartlock Omegas #2)

Ajax looked beyond us and beckoned a group.

Among them was Toni, who aimed a tepid smile in my direction.

They were human. It was hard to distinguish with all our scents gone, but their swiveling heads gave them away.

As did the way one of them reached for my hand, shaking his head when Walden let out a warning growl. He settled for an awkward wave.

“My apologies, Miss Hartlock. This is my first time in Starhaven, and I must admit, your home is as beautiful as the rumors suggest.”

I didn’t like the condescension in his tone, but smiled politely anyway. He had a weathered face, marked by deep lines, and a crown of receding silver hair. His gaze skittered to Walden.

There was something familiar about him, but I didn’t know what.

“Tully, this is Governor Prestwood,” Ajax added, when the man didn’t seem inclined to introduce himself. The man ducked his head, indulgent and sheepish.

“We have met before, albeit briefly. It was in the aftermath of, well, the unpleasantness of the HLA attacks. Understandably, you were preoccupied. I admired your parents, being from a long line of politicians myself. Your parents cared about what was right. Tonight is as much a celebration of them and I’m sure you’ll follow in their footsteps. ”

My mouth went dry at the allusion to my parents' deaths. I’d expected it, of course, but nothing could prepare for an ill-healed, complicated grief. I managed a trembled nod, not sure I could lie well enough to disguise my weakness.

It was unlikely I would do anything of note, like my name demanded.

“We are lucky to be courting Tully,” Walden said.

“So, you might have a new pack addition soon? What is the usual practice for pack titles? It would be such a shame to lose your Hartlock name, Tully.” Toni sipped her bubbles.

Lloyd’s hand found the small of my back. My skin prickled. I hadn’t given any thought to my name.

For all the insecurity it brought me, it was still mine.

“When I joined Baylark Pack, I changed my surname. But Tully may decide differently. The choice is hers,” Lloyd said.

Toni flattened her lips, no doubt annoyed that her question was thwarted by a polite answer.

“Well, congratulations and Walden—I’ll be in touch over the week to discuss future plans. But for now, enjoy your pack.” The Governor’s gaze traveled over me, and I squirmed.

“We hope you enjoy the night.”

Walden tapped his glass against mine as the governor and his team drifted away. I let my shoulders slump an iota.

“How is Pan?” Walden searched, not finding him.

Ajax’s jaw clenched in silence. Pan was nowhere to be seen. My stomach simmered, and I clutched the glass flute too tight.

“He’s coping. But did you know CJ is here?” Ajax spat the name of Pan’s friend.

Walden didn’t let any emotion show, scanning the crowd with a lazy eye.

“I’m not surprised. What’s the point of going to Astaly if the high prince they need is right here?

His mate’s shipping connections can only get them so far in expanding into Astaly.

” Walden’s low rant was cut short as Pan materialized next to him.

An unstable heat churned in his gaze, and his lopsided sneer made me reach out to touch him. He extricated me from Lloyd and nuzzled my neck. There was sweat on his brow. I slipped my hand around his waist, and under his jacket, his skin blistered.

Are you ok? I questioned with my gaze, and he nodded.

“I’m here, as requested, and behaving,” he said as Lloyd clapped his hand on Pan’s back and the mysterious tension bled away. I pointed toward the wall of artefacts.

“Can we look at them?”

“You don’t have to ask, angel.” Pan scoffed, and we slipped through the crowd to the glass-covered items. Each one had a plaque, and Pan traced the first one with an arched brow.

It was a mounted gold nugget.

“Hartlock Pack found a veritable fortune before they were forced into the wildlands. This is one of the original nuggets they used to help grow Starhaven.” Ajax read over his shoulder.

“There are ranches still there, my family and I used to go there when I was younger. I can ride well actually.” I laughed.

“Are you going to take me for a ride?” Pan mock bit my shoulder and a shiver ran through me.

“Do you know how expensive keeping a horse is?” I shook my head, aware of the crowd near us, but no one was paying attention.

The high prince was much more interesting. We moved on to the next item. It was a blackened teapot, with cracks running through a darkened orange motif on the side.

“You want something bought for you?” Lloyd whispered to me.

“Sure, where’s your credit card?” I shot him a teasing grin.

“Here, take mine.” Walden whipped out his wallet and waved it at me. “Or better yet, send me the list and I’ll make sure to organize buying, shipping, and set up, if needed.”

I waved him off with a surprised chuckle. “I was only joking.”

“I’m not,” Walden insisted, but he tucked away the card.

My chest was tight, and my lungs stifled as I tried to process his words.

Pan dug his chin into my shoulder and sighed. “Give him what he wants, Tully. He’s an alpha caring for his omega, isn’t he?” Pan whispered, a bittersweet shade in his tone.

I leaned into Pan, offering my support. Was it hard? Being forced to watch as Walden claimed me openly, and not him?

We moved onto one of the last items, a muted brown photograph, with a reddish tinge.

It showed a group of three tall men. One had impossibly broad shoulders, his bulk as stiff as his expression.

Another had dark, curly hair and a twinkle in his eyes.

The final one had imposing brows and a thick, unruly beard.

It gave him a menacing edge. There was a gangly teenage boy standing a little to the side, expression frozen in a blurred laugh, his hat clutched in his hands.

But it was the woman at the front that made my breath catch.

A loose bun held back her hair, and her hands were laced in her lap.

Muted glee brightened her expression. Like the photographer captured her on the edge of a wide smile.

If not for the dress, I would have thought it was me. Esta Hartlock and I could have been twins.

“Gods, Tully. You’re mirrors of each other,” Ajax gasped.

“Aren’t they? Lloyd and I were both stunned when we saw it earlier.”

A shiver went down my spine, and my tongue was thick in my mouth. I turned the WWED bracelet on my wrist and tried to calm my beating heart. It felt like Esta’s smile was for me, like she knew I would see this in the future. On the journey toward building a new life, like she was.

It was hard not to find a thread of fate when I saw a mirror of my face. My parents thought the gods were another frivolous waste of time. But something tickled at the back of my mind, determined to be heard. The Oracle was the god of omegas. She knew things… didn’t she?

But a voice calling my name extinguished the thought.

One I would recognize anywhere.

“Tully Alexis Hartlock. What are you doing here?”