WHISKEY
Heads up, Coach is outside. Valek isn't here yet.
You good up there?
What kind of emoji do you want for your name btw? I made yours a fox for now ‘cause you’re hiding in a den with a feral alpha
And you have red hair
IVY
I’m good. Thanks for the update.
And the fox is fine. haha
WHISKEY
Nice
Coach is being a dick about press conference tomorrow
Oh shit Valek's taxi just pulled up
Valek's looking at us
Valek's getting out of the taxi
PLAGUE
Whiskey, stop blowing up her phone with unnecessary messages.
WHISKEY
Just keeping her updated bro
THANE
Everyone cool it.
Wait, when did my emoji become a fucking lion?
WHISKEY
It’s got great hair, bro
For your mane
I set the phone down and lean closer to the computer screen where Wraith has switched to the exterior camera feed. My stomach twists into a tight knot.
The taxi door swings open and a tall figure unfolds from the back seat.
Valek.
Even through the grainy security footage, his presence is magnetic. He moves with predatory grace, all lean muscle and languid confidence. Two butterfly bandages mark where I struck him with the fire extinguisher.
He hoists a leather duffel bag over one shoulder, holding the strap with just one finger like it weighs nothing. There's something distinctly feline about him—a panther in human form, prowling up the walkway to the front door.
Then he stops and his head tilts slightly upward.
