Chapter 2
Vallie sat on her bed, her legs crossed, going over the supplies the hospital had given her.
And a few she’d nicked.
So far, Vallie had two pairs of hospital-issue pants, one shirt to wear, and another she fashioned into a bag, a small scalpel, three apples, a small water bottle, and a roll of gauze. She’d also eaten the equivalent of five meals yesterday, had pancakes, berries, sausage, and potatoes for breakfast, plus chugged enough water to last her three days.
She was ready.
She tucked everything into the bag and stuffed it under her pillow. It wasn’t enough, but it would have to do. She didn’t have time to collect everything she needed. And as far as she could tell, the hospital didn’t keep matches or a fire starter lying around in plain sight.
It was a far cry from the healing houses in Maidenhead. Truly, they were little more than places to go to die, but hell. Those places were full of candles. Couldn’t see where the bone was sticking out in the dark, now could they? But here Vallie was sitting in a hospital lit up by electricity like it was before the collapse.
What a life.
Someone knocked on the door, and Vallie checked to make sure her bag wasn’t visible.
“Come in,” she called.
Phaebe peeked her head around the corner. “Hey.”
“Oh. What’s up, Phaebe?” While Tella came to visit somewhat regularly, Vallie and Phaebe hadn’t really known each other in Balaur. Phaebe was stuck in a tower and Vallie in a dungeon. They were two very different types of prisons.
“Nothing in particular. Came to say hello to everyone. Dana said you’re being released?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow. Crazy, right? Before we know it, we’ll all be out of here and living the free wolf city life.”
Phaebe nodded. “I’m glad you’re healthy. I’ve never seen anyone take a punch like you did at the wall.”
Vallie grinned. “Ah, that was nothing. Do you know in Maidenhead I could make coin fighting? Learning to take a punch was way more useful than throwing one.”
“Vallie, you continue to astound me with your stories.” Phaebe let a small smile slip.
“Hopefully for years to come. Luven’s a pretty nice place we’ve landed. Can’t imagine anyone ever wanting to leave.”
“Well,”—Phaebe stood abruptly—“I’m having dinner with Tella tonight. I look forward to you joining us.” She nodded once, as if to end the conversation.
“Sounds good, Phaebe.”
Vallie waited until she was sure Phaebe was gone, then stood up and walked out of her room, slinking into Domitia’s room.
“Hey,” she whispered.
Domitia’s right arm was still bandaged past the elbow, and she had it propped up on a pillow.
“Are you really going to do it?” Domitia asked.
“I have to,” Vallie admitted, sitting on the foot of the bed. “If our situations were reversed—”
“I know, I know. Just,” Domitia reached for her with her right hand. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. We made it out of Balaur. We never thought that would happen. And, as far as Phaebe and Tella say, Luven’s a nice place to live, once you get over the whole public sex with the Alpha thing.”
“That part doesn’t bother me,” Vallie joked. “Hell, might be kind of nice to have someone paying a little attention to me. Not that I wanted a dragon lover—those golden boys gave me the creeps. But a built wolf with a wild beard? Other hot wolves watching? Now, that sounds like something I could get into. Even if it’s just for a few minutes.” She winked.
“You are terrible.” Domitia swatted at her. “When do you leave?”
“I have one more checkup from Dr. Tau. I’m going to try to sneak in a couple extra meals, too. Someone named Hadie is picking me up for the ritual in the morning. I figure it won’t be long, then I’ll be on my way. I’m not so out of practice that I’ll have to recover after a quick fuck.”
“Didn’t Tella say you have to wait and make sure the Alpha didn’t get you pregnant?”
Vallie shrugged. “Best case scenario, I’m back before anyone notices I’m gone?”
Domitia rolled her eyes. “I don’t think the wolves are that loosey goosey with their security.”
“Whatever. Then the second I’m declared not pregnant, I’m out of here. Maybe if I spend a day or two laying around, I’ll be able to find some more supplies.”
“What else do you need?”
“I mean, I could go for some jerky or hard cheese. Good traveling foods. Been a while since I’ve been on the road so a fire starter would be useful, but I hope a few years in Balaur didn’t kill all my life skills.” Vallie looked over at Domitia. Her curly brown hair was piled in a bun atop her head, her skin rosy where it had once been pallid.
For the first time since meeting her, Domitia looked healthy. She was beautiful. Hell, they were all beautiful. Nothing like regular meals and bathing to bring out the sheen of one’s complexion.
“Any timeline on your release?” Vallie asked quietly.
“Few more weeks, as far as I can tell. The physical therapist is really leaning into ‘the surgery is only successful fifty-percent of the time’ so I think she’s preparing me for the worst. But even if it is the worst, I’m not in pain anymore. So that is definitely an upside.” Domitia looked over her arm and shrugged. “Six months ago, I asked you to cut it off.”
“I remember. And I would have if I didn’t think I would have killed you accidentally,” Vallie added. “Don’t you wish you could have watched Epsilon rip out Cade’s throat?”
“As long as I got to leave before that wolf absolutely defiled a thrilled Tella, sure. Would also have loved to stab him a few times to make sure he was dead. Maybe cut his hands off.”
“Atta, girl.”
“Vallie,” Domitia’s tone turned serious. “Don’t die.”
“I’m not planning on dying. I’m planning on making it back, and not alone,” Vallie pointed out.
“Plans go to shit. You know this, I know this. Promise you won’t do anything idiotic. If I’m going to be a part of this werewolf cult in a somehow functioning city with electricity and medicine and running water, you better be here, too. We made it out together. Let’s keep it that way.”
“I promise as much as I can. You know I’m sort of an idiot sometimes.” Vallie gave her a lopsided grin. “I’ll be back, Domitia. I know I will.”
*
“Here’s your dress.” The extremely chipper woman named Hadie handed Vallie a black dress. “And your lube.” She opened her palm and revealed a small, smooth container.
Vallie smirked. “I think I’m good to go. The idea of a bunch of werewolves watching an old guy fuck me has me raring to go.”
Hadie blinked a couple times, looking at the lube in her hand.
“I am fucking kidding.” Vallie took the bottle. “But don’t worry. I’m not going to pull a Millonia and panic and then bolt from Luven. I’m cool with the trade. My pussy for his protection. And who knows? Maybe it’ll be a bit of fun.” Vallie shrugged. She looked around the apartment. “This place is nice. I’m going to live here?”
“If you don’t have a mate. It’s where unmated refugees live.”
“Right.” Vallie had low hopes that a mate would magically appear. After all, if she had a mate, what about everything with Elias? It didn’t make sense that she could have had years, happy years, with someone else if there was a mate waiting for her in wolf territory. She was probably like Hadie, destined to live in Luven without a wolfy partner.
“They’re expecting us soon, if you want to finish getting ready,” Hadie prompted.
“Sure, sure.” Vallie ducked into the bathroom. “You probably don’t want to watch me lube up my pussy, right?”
“Not particularly. I’m about to watch you get nailed by a werewolf.”
“Ha! You get to watch all these? You have a very weird job, Hadie.”
“I do. I stand in the corner and try not to make any sudden movements.”
Vallie whipped off her clothes and slunk into the loose black dress. She braided her hair to one side, then lubed herself up and was on her way.
It was time to trade some sex for some Alpha-wolf scent. Just when Vallie thought her life couldn’t get any weirder. The majority of people living in Maidenhead might glimpse a dragon, but definitely never a wolf shifter.
And the idea of trading a bit of pussy for a working city?
Hell, most of the women in Maidenhead would line up for an apartment like the one Vallie had been given.
When they stepped out of the elevator, the room was dark, but she knew the entirety of the unmated population of Luven was staring down at her.
Take a good look, boys.
“Hello, Vallie,” a low voice rumbled.
“Alpha.” She nodded and walked toward him. “Hands and knees?”
He looked a little taken aback, but answered, “Ah, yes.”
“Awesome. Let’s make this quick. I’ve got a lot of shit to do.”