Chapter 120

Harper’s POV

I’m not sure how long it will take to gather intel and make a plan to attack the Domain again, but Lucas was right about one thing. If we don’t strike soon, the Domain will be gone which means all the people and creatures inside will be gone too.

Images of my wolves locked in cages surface in my mind, and I try to shake them off. I need to pay attention, so I force my eyes to the maps and papers on the long table in front of me. I sit on the end, next to Lucas, while a few of the Councilmen sit along the sides.

I run my finger over one of the forest maps in front of me, the paper feeling cold and stiff. How old is this map?

“Are these current maps?” I ask curiously, a slight lilt of skepticism tinting my tone.

“They’re a few years old—”

“A few?” One of the Elders asks, cutting in. “This one hasn’t been updated in nearly twenty years. This stream…” he points to a blue line bisecting an unfamiliar area to me. “This dried up thirteen years ago.”

The Council member closest to Lucas sighs. “Our maps may be out of date, but we aren’t attacking yet. These will give us a basis of understanding that we can build upon for the attack.”

The Elder huffs and rolls his eyes like a petulant child—very unbecoming for someone who looks to be at least in their fifties or sixties.

“Look here,” Lucas says, grabbing everyone’s attention again. “This area—where the Domain is currently set up—is now a neutral territory.”

I lean over, but this map also looks outdated. It shows trees and unmarked territory.

“And that’s assuming they’re still in the same location after what we did,” I mutter, sitting back. “We need to go back, see if they’re still there, and then make plans. It would be a waste of time to plan an attack to then show up to an empty warehouse.”

Several men nod, a few hum, and Lucas smiles proudly at me. I can’t stop the warm, tingly feeling that bubbles within me at his attention. It spreads through me, almost as dizzying as when he touches me.

“Harper is right,” Lucas announces. “They were weak before, unsuspecting, because they didn’t know someone would attack. Things are different now… they’ll be expecting another breach.”

Lucas leans over the maps again, his shoulder brushing against mine in a familiar, comfortable way. I don’t think he notices, but then I catch the tick of his jaw and the way he inhales sharply before he continues speaking, “There will be more guards this time. Probably stronger ones, too, and maybe even more weapons. There’s no real way to tell if the Domain will have shifters or magic users as their defense, but we’ll need to be ready for anything.”

The reminder of what we’ll be walking into makes my stomach clench with dread. It was hard enough to get past the guards last time, so I can’t imagine if they bring out stronger guards who can shift.

The Council members around us chat quietly, asking questions that Lucas answers to the best of his ability. But their questions bring one blaring realization to mind.

We don’t really know what to expect.

“It’s not just strength we need to worry about,” I speak up. Everyone turns to look at me, and I feel the full weight of their gazes. It nearly pins me to my chair. Clearing my throat, I curl my fingers around the hem of my top. “When I went to the Domain, they had eyes on everyone. It felt like I couldn’t move, or even breathe, without being seen. Honestly, I’m surprised Lucas and I got into the back hallways without being caught.”

Lucas nods, “It’s true. You can feel eyes on you the moment you walk in, meaning we’ll need stealth, not just strength. I will be putting together teams who are well versed in stealth for this mission.”

It bothers me—the way the Council turns to murmur to each other every time Lucas or I says something, but I try to tamp down my irritation. Without their support, we won’t be able to do this.

After nearly two hours of discussion and requests from Lucas, my head is spinning, and a familiar ache is pulsing at the back of my skull. I slip out of the room with the excuse of needing air.

Erie prowls beneath my skin, restless with excess energy and worry. I’ve been stuck in that Council chamber for too long, feeling cramped by the intensity of the situation. So, I head outside.

The moment my shoe touches the grass, my shift begins. It’s easier this time. Erie’s power and confidence flow in my veins, helping the shift smoothly move through me. My body changes, my senses sharpen, and that heavy weight that was sitting on my shoulders disappears.

One second, I’m standing in front of the Council building in human form, and the next, I’m in wolf form. I drag in a much-needed deep breath, letting the cool air fill me. The strong scent of pine and dirt sit in the air, and the familiar scent calms the ache in my head.

“Want to run?” Erie asks.

“Do you even need to ask?” I laugh just before taking off. The forest swallows me, that sense of freedom instantly finding me as I weave between trees. Wind whips around me as I run, my paws thundering against the ground.

I leap over a creek and land solidly on the other side. The longer I run, the more my muscles burn, but I can’t stop. The strength I feel reminds me that I’m no longer weak. I have my wolf and my strength back.

But there’s also something else tugging at me as I reach the lagoon.

Someone’s following me.

I slow as I enter the clearing and focus my hearing.

Crack.

Slowly, I turn and find Lucas standing not far behind me in his human form. His presence is heavy, but not an uncomfortable heavy feeling. It’s just enough to make me simultaneously weightless and anchored at the same time.

Golden eyes watch me, and Erie perks up. She chuffs at Levi, her tail wagging like a happy pup because our mate is watching over us.

“You’ve gotten faster,” Lucas… or Levi, says. The low timber of his voice sends a shiver down my spine in the best way.

Shifting back, I shove my messy hair out of my face and sigh, “Not fast enough, though.”

The ten feet that was between us disappears, and before I can even blink. His hand comes up to cup my cheek tenderly, and I lean into his touch.

“Then let’s make you faster.”

Then he lunges. A fist flies toward my face, and I duck instinctively. One of the wolves growls, but I ignore them as Lucas throws attacks at me. With Erie guiding my sharpened reflexes, I move faster than I thought possible.

I twist, duck, dodge, and throw my own punches. My movements are clumsy, but with each encouragement and guided movement Lucas offers, I begin feeling a difference in my movements.

He corrects my mistakes without making me feel bad. We repeat several stances and movements multiple times, until my entire body aches and my lungs protest. I flop down to the ground, trying to steady my breathing.

“You’ll pick it up quickly if we train more.”

“You think so?” I ask, staring up at Lucas from my position laying on the ground.

He nods, “I do. Your instincts and reflexes are coming back quicker than I expected, which will help with training.”

“You sound surprised,” I tease, nudging him with my foot.

The rich chuckle that falls from his lips is almost as pleasing at the smile he sends my way. But neither sends butterflies rampaging through my body like his next words.

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” he says. “You’re mine, after all.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and push myself up. He watches as I crawl over to him and climb into his lap. His sharp breath as I lean in makes me smile. My lips barely brush his lips before he grabs me by the waist and slams his lips down on mine.

Erie howls in victory as I melt into Lucas’s kiss, letting myself feel my mate and the bond that vibrates between us.

“We’ll…”

Kiss.

“Train every day…”

Kiss.

“Until the mission.”

Kiss.

Lucas pulls back and looks me directly in the eyes. His bright eyes burn with determination, protectiveness, and desire.

“I want you ready when we go to the Domain again. I won’t risk you getting hurt, so you’ll train with me and the men.”

Nodding, I kiss him softly before saying, “I’ll be ready.”