V-A-L-E-K… C-O-U-L-D… K-N-O-W… W-A-D-E... K-E-L-L-Y.
Her expression darkens. "He might. Wade knows people everywhere."
Another nod. Danger all around us.
"It's okay. He can't get me up here," she murmurs, pulling me down into the nest. Curls into my side like she belongs there.
Maybe she does.
My arms wrap around her automatically.
Protectively.
She purrs, nuzzling against me.
I pick up my phone with my free hand, opening the pack chat again and typing out the most bare bones message possible so I can get back to cuddling.
WRAITH
placing order for supplies. plague and whiskey pick it up.
WHISKEY
MISSION FUCKING ACCEPTED
PLAGUE
Good idea.
THANE
I’ll keep Valek occupied.
Ivy builds the list on the app, adding things I wouldn't have thought of. Special soaps. Specific brands of protein drinks. Soft blankets with particular textures.
When we finish, I send the order details and set the phone aside. Ivy nestles closer, her small frame fitting perfectly against mine. Her scent wraps around me, honeysuckle with an edge of another approaching wave of heat. Her body temperature slightly elevated.
But she seems comfortable.
Content.
Happier.
Less stressed.
"You have nice hair," she muses abruptly. Randomly. Her fingers trail up to my hair, combing through the choppy strands. "For some reason, I can't really picture you going to a barber. Do you cut it yourself?"
I huff a laugh. She's right. But I can't respond. Too blissed out by her fingers massaging my scalp. A sound escapes me. Not quite a growl, but I can't purr. Throat's ruined.
But it's close enough.
I hope.
"You like that," she observes, a smile in her voice.
Another nod. Words feel unnecessary with her.
"Will you hold me?" she asks. "Just while we wait?"
