Vanessa and I have co up with a plan. It's a little crazy, and sothing we've been trying to avoid, but—there's a chance it's going to make things a lot easier for .
We're going to spend a week on the periter, chasing down areas of corruption. No more wasted ti walking miles back ho every day. Granted, we'll be carrying a lot more stuff than normal, but I've already been banned from holding anything heavier than a whisper.
Is it crazy to admit that I'm a little excited?
Lucas frowns as he tugs my coat firmly closed. "I don't like it."
"It doesn't matter if we like it or not. We don't have a choice." Wrapping my hands around his, I keep my voice soft. "We can't risk our people getting caught up in this stuff."
His fingers work thodically to secure each button of my coat. "I just don't see why you can't co back every day."
"And waste hours and energy trudging back and forth through the snow?" My boots are comfortable, like walking on clouds, and I stamp my feet experintally. They're new; Lucas gave them to last night. I'm a little worried about breaking them in, but he swears up and down I won't get a single blister. "That's not practical. We need to cover more ground, and camping out is the most efficient way. It'll give more rest between sites, too."
"I said no." His jaw tightens as he tugs my scarf higher.
"You didn't, actually. You said you don't like it. There's a difference."
His golden eyes narrow, and I swear I can see him pondering whether or not to wrap my mouth with the scarf to keep from arguing with him. Of course, he won't keep here. He's already agreed to it. He's just reserving his right to complain—at length. "Winter camping is brutal, Ava. The temperatures drop well below freezing at night."
"Good thing you've assembled an experienced team then." I catch his hands as they fuss with my collar for the third ti. "I'm not the sa girl you first t. I'm stronger now."
"Being stronger doesn't make you immune to hypothermia."
"No, but it ans I can handle myself better." I squeeze his fingers. "Marcus has years of experience with winter expeditions. Greg practically grew up in the snow. The entire team knows what they're doing. And I have my magic to keep warm. Fire's easy."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is? Because from where I'm standing, this is the most logical solution. We can't risk leaving any of that tainted energy out there where it could affect more wolves."
Lucas's shoulders tense. "The point is that my mate wants to camp in subzero temperatures while there are rogues and hunters in the area. Not long after collapsing, too."
"Your mate wants to protect our people." I step closer, letting his warmth seep into . "And she has an entire team of highly trained wolves to keep her safe while she does it. Plus, Vanessa and Marcus are coming. They'll make sure I don't put my health into danger. And Grimoire's keeping a closer eye on , too."
"Still, they can miss sothing."
"It's a team that includes two of your most trusted people, and arguably the best healer in your pack." I press my palm against his chest, feeling his heart thunder beneath my touch. "Plus Selene and Grimoire. I'll have more protection than the average alpha."
His hands settle on my waist, grip firm through the layers of winter gear. "You're not the average anything."
"No, I'm your Luna. Which ans I have responsibilities to our pack." I rise on my toes to brush my lips against his jaw. "Let do this. Let help keep them safe."
Lucas pulls closer, his lips capturing mine in a heated kiss that makes my toes curl inside my boots. The cold air vanishes, replaced by his warmth.
"You need to eat." His words vibrate against my mouth between kisses. "More than usual. The cold burns through—" Another kiss steals his words. "Through your energy reserves."
"We've packed enough supplies." I lean into him, savoring his touch. "Plus, Marcus and Greg are excellent hunters."
His hands slide up my back, pressing closer. "Check in every morning and night." His teeth graze my lower lip. "No excuses."
"Yes, Alpha." A smile tugs at my lips as he growls at my teasing tone. "You know, if you ti your night patrols right, you could always stop by our camp. That would be a fun way to keep warm, don't you think?"
A rumbling sound in his chest is his only response before he claims my mouth again. His kiss turns possessive, demanding, stealing my breath—
The front door creaks open, followed by Vester's exaggerated sigh. "This is what's taking so long?"
"Shut up. Like you don't maul Vanessa before every mission." Lucas doesn't bother looking away from .
"I do not maul—"
"You absolutely do." His thumb traces my cheek. "At least I keep my clothes on."
"That was one ti! And we thought we were alone."
Lucas steals another quick kiss. "Behind the d tent isn't alone. Everyone uses that path."
This is a fascinating story, and I'm definitely going to bother Vanessa about it later. But I shove my gloved hands against my mate's mouth, my cheeks hot. "I have to go."
"Agreed." Vester clears his throat, once again cool as a cucumber. "Are you done saying goodbye, Alpha, or should I give you another minute?"
Lucas growls, but there's no heat or aggression behind it. Sliding his arm around my waist, he guides to the door, following Vester.
Once we reach the de facto village exit, where most of us gather before saying goodbye to any scout team departing—where most of our cars are parked, currently buried beneath a few inches of snow—I stop in my tracks.
The sight before is…
Startling.
Four massive wolves stand in formation, hooked up to what can only be described as the most impressive dog sled I've ever seen. Their fur gleams in the morning light, like soone's given them a bath and brushed them out. Leather straps connect them to a wooden contraption that looks both ancient and perfectly maintained.
"Surprise!" Vanessa's voice rings with pride.
My mouth opens. Closes. Opens again.
"You said you had it worked out, but..." The words trail off as I take in the setup. Supplies are already loaded, secured with thick rope against the wooden slats.
"Did you think I ant we'd just carry less?" Vanessa's laugh echoes across the snow. She seems excited, more energetic than normal.
She's very happy, Selene agrees, dashing out of nowhere to approach the sled. Her delicate black nose goes wild as she sniffs it over.
"It's perfect." The words co out breathless. No more fighting through waist-deep snow. No more exhausting myself before I even reach the contaminated areas.
Marcus steps forward, adjusting one of the harnesses. "These four are our best distance runners. They'll have us covering twice the ground in half the ti. They're also great hunters. We're bringing food, but they'll be able to supplent what we have."
"And you'll actually have energy left to purify the taint when we find it." Vanessa's smile turns smug as she catches her alpha's eye. "See? Told you I had it handled."
His arm tightens around my waist, but I can already tell he's more relaxed than before. "You could have ntioned this part earlier."
"And miss the look on your face?" Vanessa snorts. "Not a chance. It's not every day an Alpha gets to see his wolves hooked up like common huskies. No offense, Selene."
The husky in question just snorts and shakes her head, her ears swiveling back and forth.
Vester checks the supplies one last ti, his movents precise and practiced. "You should head out soon. You'll want to cover so ground before the temperature drops."
"Right." I turn in Lucas's arms, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw. "Ti to go."
His fingers flex against my hip. "Rember. Check in—"
"Morning and night." I pat his chest. "I know."
"And eat—"
"More than usual." Another kiss, this ti to the corner of his mouth. "I know that too."
"And if anything feels wrong—"
"I'll tell Vanessa imdiately." I catch his face between my gloved hands. "I promise."
His forehead presses against mine, his breath warm against my lips. "Be safe."
"Always am."
A pointed cough from Vester breaks us apart. "If you two are quite finished..."
"Never." Lucas steals one more kiss before releasing . "But you can have her anyway."
The wolves hooked to the sled stamp their paws impatiently, eager to run. Their excitent radiates through the air, infectious enough to chase away the last of my nerves.
"All aboard." Vanessa pats the sled. "Your chariot awaits, Luna."
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