Chapter 95

Harper’s POV

Lucas gave me full access to the mission plans.

I didn’t expect it, but I appreciate the gesture because I do want to go on this mission.

Leaning over the desk, I try not to feel strange sitting in Lucas’s chair. He and Mason are still sorting through the mission supplies, leaving me alone to look over everything they’ve planned.

The papers are spread across the table, full of maps, notes, and lists of supplies that I find around the room. Each supply is laid out in groupings of the appropriate team. Very intentional and very organized.

I flip the maps over, noting one is the route we’ll travel and the other is a map of the domain. Where Lucas got it, I’m not sure, but I trace the lines with my finger. Everything is marked going from the entrance, to the holding rooms, to the exits we’ll use to leave. Each line and arrow make perfect sense.

None of it confusing, which tells me that they’ve been working hard on this. Had he been doing this during the days while I sat around his room reading?

I glance at Lucas across the room. Then, I quickly look away as his biceps strain against his tight shirt.

Damn him and his good looks.

Shaking my head, I focus back on the papers in front of me and admit that the plans are solid and thorough.

My desire to go on the mission grows as I study the plan. Making a difference and helping people is something I’ve always wanted to do. Now, I want to be part of the team that gets rid of a corrupt institution like the Domain. I want to fight those who trapped the wolf souls, which could lead me to reclaiming a piece of myself that might be trapped there.

Turning my head, I find myself peeking at Lucas again as he pulls more supplies out of boxes with Mason. He’d seemed sincere in his request for me to join him. I could tell by the hope in his eyes that he wants me to join his team.

It affected me more than I want to admit.

However, trusting him and wanting to go are two different things. Once you’ve been burned by once, it’s not easy to get close to the fire again. Even when he’s tried to prove himself several times, the thought of relying on him fully scares me.

My mind plays on repeat like a broken record, the same thoughts and questions circling back, and I sigh.

I look back down at the papers in front of me with the realization that Lucas has thought of everything. There are notes in the margins of the maps with contingency plans and backups. There are at least two plans for each thing he has marked, even ways to pull out if both plans go wrong.

The more I study it, the more I realize how much he cares about the safety of everyone on this mission.

“Harper,” Lucas calls, and I can feel him coming closer even before I turn to look at him.

He stops behind me, plants one hand on the desk, and leans in. The nearness makes my jump in my chest. His sharp pine scent falls over me, jumbling my brain as he leans closer. I try to focus, to keep the distance between us and ask the first question that comes to mind.

“What if the Domain changes their security at the last minute?”

Lucas’s chest barely touches my back, but jolts of electricity race through me at the brief contact. I force myself to look at the map he points to, “We’ll split the teams for protection and coverage. Mason and his men will handle internal conflicts if they arise. The external team will only enter if something goes far enough off the rails to require a rescue.”

He moves his finger across the paper and continues, “The key is communication. If one group is in trouble, the others will be backup. We have that built into each plan.”

I knew that from his notes, but it’s a bit more reassuring when he says it out loud. I lean back, letting my head tilt back, and holding my breath when it softly bumps into his chest. I look up at him, and he looks down at me, but he doesn’t stop talking.

He continues to explain, his patience never-ending as I ask questions about the risks, timing of attacks, and the routes he and I will take to get to the wolf souls. He answers each question without hesitation, giving me any and all information I want.

I don’t realize it, but soon, I’m leaning back into his chest. The rumble of his voice and the vibration in his chest sooth me to the point where I’m finding it hard to focus. His hand is settled near mine, and each time he moves, our arms brush.

His face lowers beside mine, his words softly spoken right by my ear as he walks me through the layout of the back hallways again.

Then our hands touch when we reach for the same map. A spark of longing runs through me, jolting me back to reality and making me jerk back.

Too close.

I can’t be this close yet.

Clearing my throat, I push my chair to the side and turn to face him. It puts a bit of distance between us, which seems to remind me that I’m not supposed to trust him yet. I’m not ready to surrender fully, and practically laying against his chest is not the way to convey that.

But the truth is that I’m getting there. He’s slowly pulling me back in with his warm gaze, patience, and consideration.

It makes me want to trust him.

“Harper, look here,” Lucas says, tapping an outer section of the map. “If we switch plan A and B, using the secondary route first, we could have an earlier warning of the Domain’s patrols. Our exit would be safer this way.”

Nodding, I lean in and scan the map. “If we adjust, that could give the primary internal team a better chance to search the interior before we all go in.”

“Which would make us less suspicious,” Lucas finishes.

By the time we’re finished reviewing the plans, I feel more confident and more aware of Lucas’s thoughts and feelings toward me. He didn’t come out and tell me he loved me or anything, but the fact that he listened and let me change aspects of his plans tells me he’s open to my opinions and feelings.

His inclusion of me makes me feel like he meant what he said. He wants my help, partnership, and for me to not feel trapped. It’s working, too; I feel capable and happy. I can breathe freely for the first time in a while, knowing that he’s not hiding me away in his room or locking me up.

He wants me to be in on this with him.

It feels as if a small bridge is forming between us. It’s unsteady at the moment, but if we keep working on it, we just might be able to cross it soon.

The question is: do I want to cross it?

Lucas looks down at me expectantly, and I stand. While talking, I made the decision without even realizing it, and now it’s time to take the first step.

Maybe I can start to trust him again.

“I’ll go,” I tell him, and his eyes widen in response. “I’ll go to the Domain with you.”