Page 279 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

"The woods go deep," Plague says, sitting beside him with his book in his lap. "If you go the wrong way, you could end up in the mountains."

I grin at him. "Perfect."

Thane pulls out his phone. "I'm at least texting him the ground rules."

Whiskey snatches it clean out of his hand. "Absolutely not."

"Whiskey, give me my fucking⁠—"

"You've been promoted from Captain Buzzkill to Chief of the Fun Police and I'm disbanding the department." He holds the phone behind his back with one hand and stiff-arms Thane's chest with the other. "Badge and gun, Belmont. Turn 'em in."

"What?"

"You heard me. You're off the case." Whiskey shoves the phone into his back pocket where there's no way in hell Thane's going to grab for it. "Let the scary psycho alpha take the girl he loves into the woods without a terms of service agreement, Thane."

Plague sighs from somewhere behind his book. "He'll just get another phone."

"Then I'll take that one too. I will confiscate every electronic device in this house. I will die on this hill."

"You will, will you?" Thane challenges.

Wraith manages a soft huff that sounds like it's in his brother's favor.

I clutch the box to my chest as they kick off another round of alpha posturing, still grinning. My heart is hammering so hard I can feel it in my teeth.

But I'm not scared.

I'm fucking thrilled.

Chapter 58

Ivy

Midnight comes slow when you spend the whole day waiting for it.

I change three times. The first outfit is too nice, like I'm trying too hard, the second is too casual, like I'm not trying at all. The third is just jeans and a thermal long-sleeve and my worn-in boots, which is what I would have worn first if I'd trusted my instincts and not spent two hours second-guessing myself.

The only reason the other alphas aren't up my ass right now is because I gave them all kisses goodnight and told them all to stay in the loft. They're pretending to be asleep while very clearly not sleeping. I can practically hear Whiskey holding his breath from the loft above me.

I tuck the flare gun into the inside pocket of my coat, button it shut, and heft the duffel bag I packed over my shoulder before grabbing my flashlight. It's a big, hefty flashlight over a foot long.

Perfect for another clobbering, if the need arises.

Which it won't.

I slip through the back door.

The night air that greets me bites at my face. I tug my coat tighter, adjust my scarf, and click the flashlight on, sweeping the beam across the back lawn.

The treeline is about fifty yards out. Past the garden beds Thane keeps meaning to clear before winter, and the rusted garden gate that swings and clicks in the wind.

So that's the noise that was driving me crazy last night.

I cross the lawn.

The gate hinges squeal under my hand and I wince, but Valek already knows exactly where I am. He knew the moment I stepped out of the house, probably. He's out there somewhere in the dark, and the fact that I can't see him despite knowing he's there is pretty fucking exciting, honestly.

The first few trees are the familiar chalky white birches, stretching up all around me like bony fingers that dug their way up from the ground. The path here is worn down by years of use, visible even in the dark, cutting uphill through bramble and scattered rock.