And apparently,myalphas have a death wish.
"Time out," I call, waving the four of them around me.
Whiskey hesitates, looking between me and Plague. "Can she… do that?"
I ignore them, turning to the men surrounding me as I lower my voice. "You guys realize what you're signing up for, right? You thinkthiswas a suicide mission? Do you have any idea the shit my father made the Ghosts do?"
"Then I guess it's a good idea your old man's not calling the shots anymore," Geo quips.
I scowl at him. "I'm serious. This was my call. My idea. It's not too late for you to back out." I can't believe I'm about to say this, but apparently, I'm not the only one who's lost my fucking mind. "They can use me to get to my father. Or at least, they'll think they can. That's leverage. Enough to get you out of here."
Knight's growl makes it clear exactly what he thinks of that idea.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Nikolai says in a wry tone, staring me down. "We're not going anywhere. And no one's using you as fucking leverage. Not the Ghosts, not your father, sure as fuck not any of us."
"Look at that. We agree on something," Geo sneers.
Raven reaches out, tucking a strand of dusty hair behind my ear. "They're right, goddess. None of us is going anywhere without you. The question is… are you willing to be stuck with us?"
I stare at him, biting back the sarcastic response that rises in my throat like bile. Part of the defensive armor I've always worn alongside the diamonds and lace that felt like shackles. And yet, here I am, covered in blood and dirt in the middle of the fucking desert, surrounded by four alphas when I never even wanted one, and I've never felt more alive.
Or free.
"I…" I trail off, realizing they're all watching me, hanging on my answer. Even Geo looks uncharacteristically nervous. It would be hilarious, if it wasn't so fucking endearing.
This is one of those things I've never been good at. Vulnerability. Truth that isn't laced with venom.
But what the hell do I have left to lose?
"Like Nikolai said, beats hanging," I mumble, looking away.
Not exactly a declaration of love, but you'd think I had just recited the poets from the looks in their eyes.
Close enough, I guess.
Chapter 31
COSIMA
The walkback to the palace feels like the world's most fucked up parade.
We're not exactly prisoners—no chains or shackles—but the Ghosts surround us like a moving cage, ready to go on the offensive if any of us steps out of line.
Valek stalks to our left, that rifle of his still at the ready despite Plague's orders to stand down. Thane brings up the rear, while Whiskey flanks us on the right, his rocket launcher mercifully slung across his back instead of aimed at our faces. Wraith just looms. Silent and imposing, his lower face hidden behind that white scarf, blue eyes tracking every movement. Every so often, he glances at Knight and his eyes lighten with hope.
I'm not the only one who's noticed. Every time he looks, Knight growls.
I think my giant guardian is menaced.
The last time, Valek cackled but cut off abruptly when Wraith's eyes turned to steel again.
My alphas form their own protective circle around me. It's like being caught between two apex predator packs. The air is charged with the knowledge that one wrong move and it'll be a blood bath all over again.
The guards at the palace gates eye us with barely masked wariness. Their hands hover near their weapons, ready to draw at the first sign of trouble. One of them, a young beta with nervous eyes, stares a little too long at Knight's imposing form, his face blanching.
I shoot him a look that could wither a tree.
The guard's eyes widen and he takes an involuntary step back. Thane cocks an eyebrow at me from behind his mask, and Knight's responding growl makes the poor guard nearly jump out of his skin.
