Chapter 24 The Trouble with Terrible Plans
Wynn
The darkness swallows us as Marlow and I crouch at the edge of the treeline, staring out into the night that shrouds the Iron Pack's territory. We're about to infiltrate the very heart of the pack I've pledged my loyalty to. I never thought I'd be sneaking into my own territory like a trespasser.
There’s no other choice. We have to save Iggy.
I scan the shadows, searching for any sign of movement. Everything is still and quiet in the dead of night, a far cry from our original plan. Any disturbance will stand out tonight. The night feels almost peaceful, though I've never thought of the Iron Pack that way before.
Marlow and I are anything but peaceful.
Tension radiates from him. He's even wearing the Cloak of Cloaking without complaint, too worried about Iggy’s safety to joke around or sneer at the hideous design.
Marlow takes a single step forward before I put my hand up, and he halts mid-movement.
There. The faintest whisper at the edge of my hearing sharpens into distant footsteps. It isn't long before two figures emerge from the shadows. Patrolling guards stroll casually through the darkness, both in human form on a routine night shift.
We hold our breath as the guards keep going, oblivious to our presence in the shadows.
Every second feels like an eternity. Josh's magic conceals our scents and muffles sound, shielding us from detection.
But if we do something obvious enough to attract attention, or come face to face with a patrolling shifter, the potion's effects won't be enough to conceal us and the magic will break.
After what feels like a lifetime, the guards pass by, and I can breathe again. Josh's potion works. Not that I doubted him, my cousin would throttle me for doubting his mate’s abilities. At least something goes according to plan.
Alright. Time to move.
We slip through the shadows together. The looming buildings in the Iron Pack's territory grow closer as we inch forward. Nerve-wracking as it is to move so slowly and constantly watch out for any sudden movements in the shadows, it actually seems like we might pull this off.
Things go from bad to worse way too fast.
Sneaking around the back of the residential area will provide the quickest route to the Alpha's house. We reach an exposed stretch with no cover to hide behind, but the night's shadows still offer protection.
About halfway down the path, the world explodes with light, banishing the comforting darkness.
Caught in the center of the illumination, Josh's potion can’t hide us from the light flooding the pathway. This is bad. This is catastrophically, life-endingly bad.
Shit! Panic floods through my veins. I freeze like a damn deer in headlights, then force myself into action, wheeling back around.
"Run," Marlow hisses, fingers clamping around my hand and yanking me back.
We backpedal toward the safety of the shadows we left behind—but it’s already too late. A bone-chilling howl pierces the quiet night. Shapes are materializing out of the darkness, circling closer, blocking our escape.
Wolves and humans alike materialize from every side, pack members I've known my whole life, now staring at us with narrowed eyes and bared teeth.
They knew. They knew we were coming. The note baiting us was a trap.
I thrash against the guards as they slam me to the ground, wrenching my arms behind my back.
Cold metal bites into my wrists. An odd sensation blooms where the handcuffs touch my skin and spreads outward—a tingling warmth accompanied by the scent of herbs and the sharp tang of magic.
These cuffs are crafted specifically for wolf shifters, designed to drain my strength and keep me from breaking free.
I catch a glimpse of Marlow a few feet away, his own struggles fading as the guards overpower him.
Our eyes lock for the briefest moment and it shatters something inside my chest. This whole time I've been his rescuer, his protector, keeping him safe and alive.
Now there's absolutely nothing I can do.
The circle of hostile shifters penning us in parts, and there's the last person I want to see.
Adelaide’s golden eyes blaze with fury. "He knew you'd try something," she spits at Marlow. Her fists clench at her sides like she's holding herself back from lunging forward.
My stomach twists as her gaze shifts to me. "I hoped he was wrong about you.” Her disappointment is like a knife to the heart.
A figure parts the guards and emerges from the shadows.
Detective Harper. He’s intent and focused on his prey even now, eyes glued to Marlow.
His shoulders only loosen a fraction as he confirms that he’s finally apprehended his fugitive.
I can’t decide if it’s better or worse that he doesn’t gloat or even look very pleased, only a grim sense of satisfaction about him.
Marlow lunges forward, a feral growl rumbling in his chest, but the guards yank him back, slamming him to the ground.
"Where is he?" Marlow roars, struggling futilely against the guards. "What did you do to him? You son of a bitch! Bring him here now!"
My heart breaks watching him fight so desperately for his friend. That loyalty, that fierce protectiveness—it's one of the things I've come to... No. Don't go there. Not now.
"You're in no position to make demands," Harper states evenly. The detective only spares me a moment’s glance, severe and unflinching, before he turns away and starts barking orders.
Taking Iggy. The ultimatum in his note. Harper provoked us, trying to draw us out. The wolves were on high alert, ready and waiting for us to try something. We walked right into the trap. The magic couldn’t hide us since we were their targets.
I've betrayed my pack, my family, to help a wanted criminal.
But I'm more terrified for Marlow than myself. What's going to happen to him now?