Page 58 of Omega Forged (Hartlock Omegas #2)

Ajax

I wanted to be near Tully and I wasn’t above pacing outside the nest. I could pretend she wasn’t hiding in there and at any moment she might invite me in.

Gods, I wanted to hold her.

She’d retreated as soon as she returned with Pan from The Barracks, thin-lipped and quiet.

Her distress left a sour trail through the house.

I couldn’t imagine her thoughts right now.

She’d clawed her way out of the prison that Chase’s treatment forced her into.

Tully was creating a legacy of her own terms.

But that was hanging by a thread now as Chase leaked the photos.

I turned over the shirt I had in my hand, wringing it in hopes it would lessen my nerves. Why did I even bring this ? Tully didn’t want to weave my scent through the nest. I berated my foolish heart.

She didn’t retreat to the nest for want of us.

It was a neutral, safe place she could hide until she calmed her instincts.

I understood it.

When I saw Chase’s hands on her, my mind turned animal and it was only the space of a breath that stopped me.

My skin crawled at the memory and the calculated look on his face.

I’d never liked the alpha. Hated how he brought the worst out in Pan.

But I didn’t know he could be a monster.

One who destroyed Tully and driven her somewhere I couldn’t follow.

How I wish she didn’t need to keep herself safe from me.

We were all reeling from what happened. Lloyd was shaking with jittery adrenaline and he’d retreated as soon as we realized Tully wasn’t coming out of the nest. Why would she?

It was safe, well stocked, and she didn’t want comfort from us.

Pan seethed at his piano, and I thought I heard cacophonous sounds earlier this morning.

He was always extra sensitive when he talked about playing the piano, and I’d been surprised when he volunteered to donate instruments. Pleased, but surprised.

In the past, my brother would have slunk off to some club and returned with red-rimmed eyes and a sharp reek of shame and defiance. I can’t say my stomach didn’t flutter with apprehension. But Pan proved me wrong and the only thing creasing his forehead was worry for Tully.

Walden took the leak badly.

He still wore a bewildered puppy dog look of disbelief.

It was too sad to pile on in his rumpled sweats.

He’d gone to work and scared his assistant so much she rang me because of how disheveled he looked.

I could have told him any declarations of love would be met with distrust. That’s why I kept mine tucked in my chest. Alive with each thud of my heart.

“Oh, sorry,” Tully squeaked as she came out of the nest to find me standing there, like a creeper. Her expression shuttered. “Actually, I’m not sorry. I don’t know why I said that. Was there something you needed?”

I loved the way she puffed up her chest, bravely defending her space. I mourned the loss of her soft trust, but didn’t blame her caginess now. After everything Tully had been through, we were lucky she let us into the same room as her.

Tully wiped away the grit of sleep. I swallowed a noise. She wore an oversized shirt that swallowed her to her knees. A teal one I’d tucked in the cupboard after the glorious heat we’d shared.

She was wearing my shirt. Tully smelled like me.

She narrowed her eyes as the silence dragged out. I was blocking her exit, but I couldn’t make my knotted tongue move or shift my huge ass out of her way. I didn’t take sugar with my coffee, but I might have to in the future. If only to chase the sweetness Tully threaded through my coffee hazelnut.

“I’m sorry, tr—Tully,” I apologized.

It would be rude to call her treasure. But I let it echo in my mind. Treasure. Treasure. Treasure.

The most precious part of my life stood just out of reach.

“I just wondered if you had some pain meds?” Tully tugged the gaping collar up as I raked my gaze over her.

“You’re hurting?”

Tully clicked her tongue. “Do you have any or not?”

“Tully.” It took everything in me not to step closer and inspect her like I wanted.

My alpha instincts gnashed under my skin.

“Just some bruises and a headache. Don’t go all alpha on me.” Her lip quirked, tired. “I had enough of that with Walden.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Walden is an idiot. We all are. You’re not ours, but we’re yours. That was what he was trying to say.”

She nodded. “I wish I could give you the answer you wanted.”

Inside me, pain throbbed, so familiar it was like a companion.

“Do you regret coming here?”

Tully’s crystal gaze turned sharp. “I made my choice, Ajax. I have to live with that.”

A feather could have knocked me over, and the brush of her harsh exhale almost did.

Tully didn’t have to say it out loud. The space between us was twisted and guarded.

My swelling throat strangled my voice. I had to live with my choices, too.

The white lies that washed away, darker and more sinister than we intended.

“It’s not because of the pack. I just liked who I was becoming on my own.”

I cradled my stomach despite her words. Wondering how I was going to face what the day had ahead, especially with this revelation like a stone in my gut. I missed her like a hole through the heart, and she preferred to be alone.

“Ajax?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s get you something for your head,” I amended, my stomach a pit of nerves. “I can bring it up to you, if you prefer? My parents are visiting soon, and I wanted to let you know, so you weren’t surprised if you heard strange voices.”

“That would be nice, thank you.” Tully turned to go back in the nest and my heart crashed against my ribs as she hesitated. “Wait. Did they come to see you, or Pan?”

“Pan.” I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

Of course, they were here for Pan, not me. Never me. Tully flicked a look over my shoulder. She chewed on her lip like she was trying to digest something bitter.

“Will the rest of the pack be there?”

I shook my head. I wouldn’t subject my parents to anyone unless completely unavoidable. “They never visit for long, if you’re worried about that.”

“You know what? I’ve changed my mind. I need to stretch my legs a bit.”

“Whatever you need.” I brushed my arm against hers, unable to smother the bright smile.

Was Tully coming for me? I let myself believe it, clutching my shirt to my chest. No. She wanted a distraction from her thoughts. I wouldn’t let my emotions get the best of me, like Walden.

My parents were already sitting in the lounge area while a wan Pan avoided their barrage of questions.

He turned white and green as Tully and I walked into the room. My mother slid me a quick look, while my dad didn’t even pause speaking. Their dismissal would have stung, but the warmth of Tully soothed the scar of their favoritism.

I pushed over a glass of ice water and two white pills, which Tully took. She smothered a wince as she lifted her arm to take them. Had Chase hurt her worse than she admitted? I wished I could ask her the truth, but it wasn’t my place.

I cleared my throat. My dad trailed off with a slight frown.

“Mom, Dad, this is Tully Hartlock.”

Tully gave a lackluster wave.

“We know of you.” My mom offered a tight smile.

I flushed from the bitchy response, and Tully let out a snort.

My dad spared her a brief nod and my embarrassment turned to indignation.

Who did they think they were? Tully’s fig and honey scent turned bitter as she put down the cup and wandered over to the couch.

Pan’s gaze bounced from her bare feet, over the oversized shirt and back again.

He drank her in as if parched.

My brother never looked fazed, even when he was leaping headfirst into hedonism. But now he did. His jaw tightened as he recognized the shirt was mine. I nudged Tully into the seat beside me, letting my thigh press against her. A reaction to the bubbling disapproval emanating off Tully.

“Ajax, you’re not at work today?” My mother asked.

Tully clicked her tongue. “You plan your visits when only one son is available?”

Why do you only care about Pan?

Pan and I heard the unspoken words. My brother had an uncanny ability of pasting a sneer over every crack of composure, but not now. His lips trembled and his knuckles went white. His bubblegum scent flooded the room, sickly sweet, enough to choke us all.

My mom’s nostrils flared, but she didn’t respond. She turned to Pan and continued their conversation like Tully hadn’t even spoken.

“Pan, did you read the email I sent about the sponsorship? Kieran wants you to succeed, just like we do, but you need to give him an answer.”

“For the hundredth time, I’m not interested,” Pan hissed, low like a snake getting ready to strike. He was close to exploding, and they didn’t even realize it.

“But you look so much better, minus the tattoos, of course, those can always be removed.” My mother nudged a plate of treats toward him.

They must have produced those when I left the room. My parents were always careful not to offer me too much food.

“It’s a great opportunity, son,” my father prodded.

“Did you attend the gala?” Tully interjected when Pan seemed disinclined to answer.

My mom waved an elegant hand, her perfect nails glinting under the light.

“The Mythos family tries not to get involved in politics. We’re a family known for our musical talents. Well, some of us. We were disappointed you didn’t perform, Pan.”

I’d shown no talent in any instrument at all, not like Pan.

“Oh? What do you play?” Tully asked, but there was no genuine interest in her tone. She was ramrod straight, with her hands knotted together on her lap.

“We’re both appreciators of the arts,” my dad replied stiffly.

“So, you don’t play?” Tully said.

“Pan’s father was a piano player, and unfortunately, he passed away before he saw his son fulfill his destiny.”