Chapter 94

Lucas’s POV

I’ve noticed Harper sneak off to the lagoon twice in the last few days, and while I’m trying not to make her feel crowded, I want her safe.

Me sleeping in the living room of my apartment doesn’t seem to sit well with her, but surprisingly, she hasn’t said anything. I wanted to test the waters, to see if she would kick me out, but when she comes in for breakfast, she hasn’t said anything.

It’s almost like she’s picking and choosing her battles, which gives me a bit of hope that she’s at least thinking of forgiving me.

Over the past few days, my time has been consumed with files, information reports, and plans. The Domain intruders wouldn’t give up any information about the wolf soul auctions. One even snapped his own neck. We think he hung himself with his chains or that he had his cellmate do it.

We’re still not sure exactly how or why he did it, but I can imagine the Domain doesn’t take kindly to traitors. I have no doubt in my mind that they’ll be back, either to get rid of us because we know too much or to get revenge for busting their operations.

Either way, we only have one more prisoner, and he’s not giving up any information.

I shove the thought down and focus on the intel in front of me: Harper’s notes, pieces of information I found on the dark web, and observations from the scouts I sent out. Each trail leads back to the domain, but not to specific information on how it functions or who runs it.

Sighing, I stare down at Harper’s handwriting and the information she gathered. It reminds me of her going to the Domain alone, and my chest burns. She was brave, yes, but she was also reckless in going alone. For the Goddess’s sake, she was almost sold as a… well, I don’t know, but I could have lost her.

There are too many unknowns with the Domain to let is stay functioning. It needs to be taken down, and not only for the sake of the wolf souls. Every living thing that’s being trapped and sold there should be free, and that’s just what we’re going to do.

And if one of those souls is Harper’s, every moment we wait is another day that Harper is missing part of herself.

Waiting also gives her another chance to sneak off again. She hasn’t tried to leave so far, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t biding her time. For all I know, she could be sneaking out right now, and that thought makes my chest tighten. I won’t allow her to get herself killed, but I can’t cage her either.

She deserves a choice, not chains.

“You’re going to have an aneurism,” Mason says as he enters my office to grab another box, “Anything I can help with? Or I can grab Brandon if you need something.”

I shake my head. “Just thinking.”

“Well, when you’re done thinking, I’ll be downstairs with Harper sor—”

“With Harper?” I ask, standing. I glance at the box, then at my Beta.

He nods, “Yeah. She came down to get some air but decided to help me organize the mission supplies.”

I push away from my desk and jog out of my office, down the hall, and through the building until I reach the common room. Just like Mason said, Harper is there, organizing stealth gear, supplies, and weapons.

She doesn’t see me when I enter the room, so I watch her for a moment. Even though she doesn’t know what we’re planning for, she moves with purpose, using the same determination she does when she’s helping her patients.

Watching her makes my jumbled thoughts go quiet long enough to reveal my answer.

I’ll take her to the Domain with me.

That way, I can keep her safe while also giving her the freedom she craves.

“Harper.”

My voice carries across the room, and Harper stiffens. When she turns, her eyes are narrowed in a challenge that dares me to tell her to leave, to go back to my room and continue hiding. Her eyes still hold anger, showing me just how high and strong the walls are between us.

I step forward, and I bite back my smile when she also steps towards me.

“We’re going to the Domain.”

Her brows jump up as she takes another step towards me. “We?” The hint of curiosity in her tone makes it nearly impossible to keep a straight face.

“Yes. We’re freeing the wolf souls,” I tell her. “The intruders won’t stop until the Domain is dealt with, so the sooner we end this, the better.”

Not speaking, she studies me. I can picture her mind weighing my words against the expression on my face to see if I’m telling the truth. I force myself to stay still, to not go to her, and let her have her look as I continue telling her about the mission.

“We’ve gathered intel to go along with what you gave me.” The mention of her information makes Harper lift her eyes to mine again. “A small team will go to make it easier to slip in and out. Mason and five of my men will be the internal backup while five more men wait outside in case of trouble. It’ll be dangerous, but we need to do it before the auction this weekend.”

The curiosity in her eyes changes and turns more cautious as she asks, “And you’re telling me this because…”

I take my chance to move closer.

Standing in front of her, I peer down into those sage green eyes that are capable of melting me into a puddle. I reach for her face but drop my hand again when her eyes catch the movement. I want so badly to touch her that I have to clasp my hands behind my back.

I clear my throat and speak, “Because I don’t want to do it alone. I believe one of those wolf souls is yours, so I want you to come with me. I know you want this too, and I know you’d go alone if you had the chance.”

The muscle in her jaw ticks, telling me I’m right.

“I would prefer if you went with me, as a team, so you’re safe.”

Her safety is my main concern. My pack’s safety is second. The wolf souls are my third. Exposing the Domain to the world is the fourth.

Harper will always be first, now.

At my words, Harper’s expression wavers. For once, she doesn’t snap a witty comeback or an angry remark. She simply looks away, her arms wrapping around her torso like she does when she needs comfort.

My heart lurches with the desire to comfort her, but I give her a moment to think.

“It’s not that simple, Lucas,” she murmurs. “Did you think I would jump at the chance and say yes?”

I didn’t think she would refuse me, yet that’s where this seems to be going.

“I just wanted to give you a choice. You worked hard for this, and I didn’t want you to feel I was forcing you to stay behind,” I tell her, touching her shoulder. She lifts her head to look at me again.

“I’ll think about it.”

Relief fills me with the fact that she didn’t turn me down, and I smile. “That’s all I’m asking for right now. We don’t leave for another two days, so you have time to think it over.”

She didn’t say no, and that’s enough for now.