When Valek's footsteps finally recede, none of us dare move for a full minute.
Ivy exhales shakily. "That was close."
"Too close," I murmur, reaching for my phone and opening our group chat.
PLAGUE
This is NOT sustainable.
Whiskey's phone vibrates as he receives the message. He reads it and nods immediately.
WHISKEY
Hard agree bro. Silver-eyed creep obv suspects something and won't quit till he finds her
Wraith glances at the message, his jaw tensing beneath his mask as he gives a single, stiff nod.
THANE
But how the fuck do we move her without him noticing?
Ivy looks up from her phone, those ocean eyes clouded with concern.
“That’s true,” she whispers. “I can't stay here. If he finds me…”
She doesn't need to finish the sentence. Weall understand the implications.
"That still leaves the question of where you go," I whisper back to her. "And who goes with you."
An awkward silence descends. The question brings the complications into sharp relief. Wraith shifts his massive weight, clearly already volunteering, but I shake my head slightly.
"Wraith is too recognizable," I say, stating the logical conclusion no one wants to voice. "His height alone would draw attention, not to mention the mask."
Wraith's expression darkens, but he doesn't argue. The truth is undeniable. A seven-foot-plus masked alpha isnotconducive to stealth, and I’m assuming he can’t go unmasked without drawing even more attention.
THANE
I need to stay here. As captain, my absence alongside Wraith's would raise too many questions. I can keep Valek distracted. We're in the living room right now. He's busy criticizing Whiskey's movies.
Ivy considers this, frowning slightly. "So that leaves..."
"Me and Plague," Whiskey finishes, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
I feel three sets of eyes turn to me. The logical solution solidifies in my mind, along with the complication that comes with it. My jaw tightens as I realize what I'm about to suggest.
"We already have a suitable cover story," I grit out, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.
Whiskey's eyes widen as comprehension dawns, followed immediately by a grin that makes me want to shove my phone up his ass. Okay. Maybe not that. "You mean pretending we're?—"
"Yes," I cut him off sharply. The insufferable bastard is actuallyenjoyingthis. "I'm sure Valek is well aware of fan speculation about our relationship. We could get a hotel together and no one would suspect a thing."
"You'd do that?" Ivy asks, clearly surprised.
"It's the perfect lie," I reply, keeping my voice neutral despite my internal discomfort. "You can stay in the car until we have the room key, then sneak in. Perhaps pretend to be delivering food to us."
Wraith's hands move in a flurry of signs, clearly expressing his distress. His blue eyes burn with protest, his massive body coiled with tension. Though I can't follow all his signs, his meaning is clear. He doesn't want to be separated from Ivy.
"I understand your concern," I tell him, "but your presence would draw too much attention. Thisisthe safest option." I glance at Ivy. "If you're alright with it, of course?"
