Page 60 of Omega Forged (Hartlock Omegas #2)

Walden

I pulled up the spreadsheet on my phone.

All the tasks were ready, but none were checked off.

Yet. I wouldn’t stop until I did. I’d put on a suit for the first time in a long time, and it hugged me like it had shrunk.

It used to be my armor, my protection as I stepped into view of others.

But now I saw it for what it was, a crutch, and it had cost me Tully.

But I wore it today because even though it didn’t fit right, it sent a message.

That Baylark Pack was powerful, and we would protect our omega.

“Are we really doing this?” Lloyd opened the door to the private conference room we hired for this meeting.

It was strategic. There were several meeting rooms, perfect for what we needed right now.

A confrontation with CJ.

“Tully won’t ask for it, but we’re going to take care of this for her.” I tucked my phone in my pocket.

A dozen notifications crowded my screen. Some of them were time sensitive regarding my run for mayor. But I didn’t care. There was only one name I wanted to see on my screen, and Tully was doing an excellent job of ignoring me.

“I don’t care who we take down as collateral damage as long as he’s destroyed.”

“Will your sisters kill us if we beat him up?” Pan swiveled around in one of the leather chairs.

“Yes. They explicitly warned me, no violence.” Despite the words, my hands clenched into fists.

Being a public figure meant never taking a wrong step, and it was so ingrained in me, even being here felt like rebelling against what I was supposed to do. Take the high road. But fuck that. CJ played dirty, and I was going to do the same.

“Have you thought about what this is going to do for your chances of becoming mayor?” Lloyd fiddled with a placemat.

There was a platter of fresh fruit in the middle of the shiny, black table, but no one made any move to eat.

“Is everything set up how I asked?” I moved past Lloyd’s question, glancing at the frosted glass wall separating our meeting room from the one next door.

Ajax nodded, taking a seat, but I couldn’t relax. Tension coiled around my muscles like snakes waiting to strike. I poured five glasses of mineral water and passed them out.

“Do you think I’d make a good mayor?”

“Of course.” Pan burst out with a frown.

Things had been so good between us lately. It was all because of Tully. She brought us together in a way that worked, and we would do anything to win back her trust.

“Walden, what is it?” Ajax dragged his finger through the condensation on his glass.

My chin hit my chest. I shed the exoskeleton of youth sooner than I should have. My strength lay in endless determination, poise, and fairness. I created the Baylark Foundation because I wanted to make a difference.

But why?

Admitting to Tully the lengths I’d gone to ensure the Hartlock gala went well made me wonder who it was all for, and if it was worth losing my pack, or my life.

My family put expectations on me and I leaned into them until they became mine.

I was good at being the responsible older brother.

It fit my innate skills well. I never considered a different path until Tully burst back into my life.

She was perfect imperfection. Honey and fig, so sweet and soul quenching.

The twinkle in her eye, stardust captured in a crystal globe.

I colored between the lines. Monochrome.

Tully burst off the pages. Glitter, pink, sunshine, and heart.

I could be perfect my whole life and I’d never leave the same mark she already had.

Because even when she was afraid of failing and made herself small, she had an uncanny way of leaving a lasting impression.

“I’ve always approached life like a checklist. The foundation. Our pack. The politics. I haven’t left room for anything else.”

“It’s been tough lately.” Lloyd reached out to squeeze my shoulder.

Although we didn’t underestimate the beta of our pack, his energy sometimes got lost among the alphas.

But right now, his sunshine and salt warmed my skin.

It made me wish for a beach day. Would Tully like the sun and sand?

When was the last time I’d even taken a vacation long enough to go to the beach?

“Me being mayor, are you prepared for how that might affect your life?” I asked Pan specifically.

Really looking this time. We’d spoken about it, of course, but had I actually listened? Pan tilted his head, and I drowned in hazel. He could take my breath away with one searing look.

“I want whatever makes you happy.”

The vulnerability between his words tugged at my heart. I’d been such a selfish prick in more ways than one.

“Pup,” I sighed.

He rubbed the back of his neck and heat warmed his expression. “I’m used to performing, Walden, and I’m getting better every day. I won’t embarrass the pack again, I promise.”

I flinched, crossed the room, and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. Sugar filled my veins.

“I’m sorry, pup. I’m sorry to you all.”

“You’re freaking me out, Walden,” Ajax said.

I let out an empty laugh. Was I old enough for a midlife crisis? When Tully left, it started a chain reaction. Had I ruined all our chances for love to achieve a dream that wasn’t truly mine?

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Lloyd said.

“I’m thinking—” I trailed off as CJ pushed through the frosted glass door.

He wore a dark polo and black jeans and had a leather briefcase hanging over his shoulder.

“Don’t let me interrupt. What were you thinking?” He hit us with a wide smile, as if we hadn’t seen him attack our omega and threaten her.

I tipped my head at Lloyd, and he shifted his hands under the table.

“CJ.” I checked my watch. “You’re late.”

“It’s five minutes. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”

Did he not understand how precarious his situation was? Pan crossed his arms with a scowl, and his animosity made CJ pause as he pulled out a stack of papers.

“I can only imagine what Tully’s told you to warrant that kind of reaction.” CJ whistled.

“Was he always this big of an asshole?” Pan ignored his former friend and turned to Ajax, who nodded.

“In your defense, you were high most of the time you were with him. I imagine that helps with the deluded levels of arrogance and narcissism.”

CJ snorted, like he was in on the joke, but froze as we all glared at him.

“Well. I’m glad Tully came to her senses, but I can’t accept this offer. Do you understand the demand for these scent wipes? All natural with no side effects. There is nothing like it on the market. I’m not giving her eighty percent of the company I built,” CJ complained.

“With Tully’s intellectual property.”

The contract wasn’t anything but a red cape to a bull. Designed to enrage and draw him in, but CJ didn’t know that. His scent rose like a storm and battered us all. I hoped he would drown himself with his own words.

“A moldy formula she never would have capitalized on.”

“You didn’t give her much choice, did you?”

“Everything between us was consensual.” CJ’s lip quirked. “How do you like the little whimper she makes when you slide deep inside her?”

He was a dead alpha. Dead . A growl escaped me from a primal part inside me.

“She whimpered for you. She screams for us,” Pan shot back.

CJ cleared his throat.

“Did your brothers know what you had planned? How you preyed on a grieving young omega and created a company on a lie?” Lloyd said.

CJ threw his hands up. “That’s rich. It wasn’t a lie. I put blood, sweat, and tears into the first prototype. Sure, the formula originated from Tully’s family, but I made it what it is today.”

“You used Tully’s body, her heart, her legacy for your own devious means. If she had a fortune, you would have taken that too, instead of settling for Seph Campion.”

CJ rolled his eyes. “You’re just jealous I got Tully first.”

“You don’t fucking get it, do you?” Ajax snapped. “Do you even care about Seph at all?”

CJ waved us off. His neck was flushed. “She has my brothers, and they truly love her. What does it matter how I feel? But I’m not here to discuss my pack. I thought I was here to strike a deal.”

“It matters,” I roared, losing my temper. “Because I didn’t lie and sweet talk a beta into investing thousands of dollars while simultaneously fucking her best friend. You’re a leech and a disgusting pig of an alpha.”

“It’s business, Walden.” CJ clenched his jaw. “Don’t tell me you haven’t done unscrupulous things to get what you want.”

I lied to Tully with selfish intentions and that felt bad enough.

Making the same choices as CJ never occurred to me, and I would never again hurt those I loved to achieve my goals.

Hurting CJ was another thing. I wasn’t an evil man, or a ruthless one.

I was a workaholic with a penchant for custom suits and spreadsheets.

But I’d transform myself to avenge Tully.

“I want you to know this—” I gestured between us. “Isn’t business, it’s personal. And when I’m done ruining your entire life? I want you to know it was Baylark Pack.”

“What’re you going to do?” CJ scoffed. “Punch me? I’ll sue you for assault. Good luck with your political career.”

I nodded at Lloyd and his hand moved under the table. Adrenaline didn’t make me tremble. I was friends with the rush that flooded my veins. A calm settled over me.

“We don’t need to resort to violence, CJ, just underhandedness,” Ajax explained.

The door opened and CJ spun around in surprise as his pack filed in. Neil and Tomas flanked Seph, who was pale and shaking.

“W-what are you doing here?” CJ asked, and his face flitting from panic to charm would have been more fascinating if I didn’t despise him.

“We were listening next door. Is it true?”

“I don’t—” CJ glared at us, his hands waving in a placating manner.

“You lied about everything, Chase. Everything. I don’t even recognize you.” Tears flooded Seph’s betrayed gaze.

“It’s nothing but a tactic, darling. They want to paint me in a poor light because I love you so much. Tully is jealous and has been feeding them lies.” He reached for Seph but she cringed out of reach, into the shield of Neil and Tomas.

“Don’t touch her,” Neil ground out.

“You believe them, over me? Your brother?” Panic carved into the lines of his expression.

It was gratifying to see Campion Pack stare back, shaken but unmoved by CJ’s pleading. I’d rung them earlier and explained what CJ had done, and I invited them to sit next door and listen to our conversation. I hoped it would be enough to convince them, knowing CJ couldn’t help but be boastful.

“Is it enough for you?” I addressed Tomas.

“I’ll have the paperwork drawn and put to the board by morning. It won’t take much convincing. I’m sure it’s no surprise this isn’t the first time he’s done something questionable. Just the first time we could prove it.”

I could check off at least two things on my plan to destroy CJ.

CJ whipped his head between us and Pan laughed. This was cathartic for all of us, but for Pan, it was even more so. CJ was supposed to be his best friend and in the depths of his drug addiction, he’d leaned on CJ. Their history ran deep and the betrayal even deeper.

“Do you remember the morality clause I put in our contracts?” Neil stared down his angular nose at CJ.

“You can’t use that against me.”

“Theft will be easy to prove and damaging to the company. I won’t stop until I cleave you from this pack. You are a disgrace.” Tomas bared his teeth.

“I’m your brother.” Scent like a storm swelled in the room.

But my pack swallowed his distress, fed off it until all that was left cleansed my nostrils, instead of burned.

“I have one brother, and it’s not you,” Neil added, pulling Seph into the crook of his neck.

“Seph, please,” CJ crooned as he changed tact.

Her lips trembled, and her words were small but powerful. “You’re a monster. I never want to see you again.”

“Come, let’s get you home.” Tomas fussed over Seph as he led her to the door. She was heartbroken, but she’d heal.

Campion Pack had taken their beta’s surname when they joined. I wondered if we could do the same thing?

“Wait—” Chase protested as he flashed another smile. Bright but useless, now that everyone knew how cheap it was.

Tomas dodged his brother’s outstretched hand with a growl, and CJ slumped in his chair. His handsome face was gaunter than before. Shock leached out the plump smugness. I pulled up my spreadsheet and took great satisfaction in highlighting two of the columns.

Take his business .

Take his pack.

I wouldn’t stop until I took everything from him.

“Just business, right, buddy?” Pan slapped CJ’s shoulder as he passed.

“It won’t stick. I’ll keep you tied up in court for fucking years,” CJ seethed.

“With what money?” Lloyd winked as he followed Pan.

“You’re not taking my company from me.” CJ leaped out of his seat, and Ajax smothered a laugh. He paused with his hand on the doorway.

“Did you think we wanted just your company? I will spend the rest of my life making sure you pay for what you did to Tully. I will take everything until you wish you were dead. But you’ll have to live knowing you’re scum while she gets everything and more.”

Ajax left in a swirl of bitter coffee.

“Surely we can make a deal. You understand business more than they do, Walden. I was in negotiations with Astaly and it could be huge. They won’t go ahead if I’m not attached.”

CJ reeked of churning river rain. Swamp, heavy and sour. It made me recoil. Was this what I wanted in my life? Desperation for money, prestige, and lucrative business? I had a taste of what that looked like without Tully and it was empty.

“Business?” I paused in front of CJ.

His gaze flashed greedily. “Yes, you know me, I’m—”

My fist knocked his words out of his mouth and he made a sickening crunch as he sprawled on the ground.

“I told you before. This is personal.” I grabbed his collar and let him see my teeth. “So go ahead, sue me.”

I shoved CJ on the ground, enjoying his whimper of pain as his shoulder crunched.

Walden Baylark didn’t punch people. I always followed the rules, but fuck the rules when it came to Tully Hartlock.

I carded my hand through my hair, mussed up the perfect locks.

My knuckles ached and the pain was an anchor.

I wanted to create a legacy, and I thought that came from reputation, but I’d been wrong.

It came from love.

Mine was going to span an age.