Chapter 96

Harper’s POV

Just a few hours, and we’ll be in the Domain again. I won’t lie to myself and say I’m not nervous because I am. These people know my face and Lucas’s face.

“Are you sure they’ll have what we need to disguise ourselves?” I ask as Lucas leads me down the hall.

“The council sent us plenty of supplies,” he reminds me. “They want this mission to be a success just as much as we do, so they’ve sent us everything we’ll need… and it’s right in there.”

He points to the door at the end of the hall, only four doors down from his office, and I tense up. The nerves zipping through me create a nauseous bundle in my stomach, and even when I try to push it away, it returns.

Walking purposefully into a dangerous situation is so different than accidentally stumbling into one. I’d rather not do either but saving the wolf souls is important. I won’t let them be trapped and sold like I almost was. Not to mention the other creatures and people who are being hurt by the Domain.

It’s inhumane.

Lucas walks in the room first, giving me a moment to calm down before I enter. The woman inside greets us with a smile.

“My name is Trisha, and the council sent me to inform you that anything you need, you can take from the provided supplies. If you have any questions, I’m here to help.”

Lucas thanks her, and I offer a small smile, but I keep my attention on Lucas. He’s not even an arm’s length away from me and hasn’t been any further away from me since we left his room earlier.

I briefly wonder if it’s because he can sense my nerves. I don’t get a chance to ask because he dismisses the woman and pulls me toward the table. The first thing he grabs is a blond wig.

Lucas turns to me, lifts the wig, then pauses.

“Do you mind if I…”

Wearing a disguise was Lucas’s final and only real request of me. One I accept willingly because I’m not about to become another item that the Domain tries to sell… not again.

“I don’t think you start with the wig,” I say, biting back a laugh. Leaning forward, I grab the wig cap, flip my head over, tuck my hair in, and wiggle it onto my head. I hear a snorted laugh come from Lucas, but I choose to ignore him and stand up straight.

Lucas reaches forward and settles the wig on top of my head, tucking stray pieces of hair under the cap while adjusting the wig.

“Now, I wouldn’t go rolling around or flipping your head like a crazy person,” Lucas jokes, trying to cut through the tension in the air. “Do you know how to secure it?”

Nodding, I turn and begin pinning the wig on. While I fuss with the wig, I look at my strange reflection. It feels wrong to change my appearance, but the forged identities are necessary. Without them, the Domain will pick us out easily.

“Here,” Lucas says, holding up a pair of small daggers. I back away immediately, but he catches my arm and keeps me still. “They’ll be cloaked and undetectable. The Domain won’t find them unless you pull them out.”

I shake my head, “Lucas, I…”

“I want you to be prepared just in case, but only use them if you need to,” he says, laying them in my palms. “I’ll keep you safe the entire time, but I won’t send you in unarmed.”

I turn the silver blades over in my hands, my gut churning. “I-I’m a healer, Lucas. I don’t usually hurt people.”

“You won’t need to,” he responds softly, his fingers lifting my chin. The soft stroke of his finger along my jaw sends a soft wave of comfort through me, “These are a last resort. Only use them if you absolutely have no other choice, but remember, you won’t be alone. I’ll be right there with you.”

He sets something else in my hand, and I swallow the nerves. A stun gun.

When I look up at Lucas, he nods and watches as I slide the knives in secret holsters strapped to my thigh, under my dress. Then, I clip the stun gun to the strap around my calf that hides just beneath the top of my boot.

Knowing that Lucas planned for everything, and that he’ll be there to keep me out of danger is the only reason I feel any ease at the moment. I knew this would be dangerous, but being handed weapons is a little more real and scary than just an idea of danger.

Once we’ve finished our disguises, Lucas leads me out. Mason is already waiting in our car, and the backup team has already left. I fall into step with Lucas, moving closer without meaning to, but not pulling away.

When we reach the car, I slide into the back seat with Lucas. The car roars to life, making me startle and jump. A hand landing on my thigh makes me jump again. Immediately, Lucas pulls his hand back.

“Sorry, you just look nervous. I thought…” his words fall off as the car begins moving. I know what he thought, and he was right. I do feel safer when he’s closer. It’s a bit ridiculous, since I’ve been angry and reluctant to trust him, but even with my anger, I still feel the comfort he provides. It still makes me feel better.

So, I let myself lean back into the seat and into his side ever so slightly. With each passing moment, I find myself leaning closer, drawn to the safety he provides. Each touch between us sends a shiver through me.

The pull, that imaginary bridge between us, grows.

Night falls as we drive, the silence thick and heavy. The closer we get, the faster my heart beats, until I’m staring up at the building I’ve studied on maps for the past two days. The building that I escaped with the help of Lucas.

Not for the first time, I wonder why they didn’t move locations. Are they so confident they don’t think someone will come after them? The Domain must know that their illegal operations are known by others, so why not change locations?

The unease and unknown send a chill down my spine.

Unable to keep my eyes from wandering, I let them scan the parking lot and the trees beyond it. Our secondary team is out there, keeping eyes on the patrols and ready to come to our aid if we need it. Hopefully, we won’t need them.

Still, the fear of failure creeps in. What if we can’t save the wolf souls? What if we get caught and imprisoned?

“You’re with me,” Lucas says, resting his hand on the small of my back. The touch is comforting and grounding, reminding me of why we’re here. “Stick close, and everything will be alright.”

I can only nod, drawing courage from his words as we walk toward the dark building. It towers over us like a looming threat, and I have to lean back into Lucas for reassurance.

With his hand at my back, and the knowledge that he’ll protect me, a small spark of hope lights within my chest.

Just like last time I was here, I can make it through this if he’s at my side.