Page 102 of Faith and Fury

My ears perk up. What’s happening tomorrow morning?

Maverick looks at me, then looks at Caleb. “What, you didn’t tell her?”

Caleb sighs, rubbing his forehead like he’s getting a migraine.

Tell me, I sign. I know neither of them can read the words, but that doesn’t protect them from my demanding, pissed-off-omega scent.

Caleb says, “Take it easy, omega. I was going to tell you when I had the chance.” Anger simmers inside of me, wanting to call bullshit, until he goes on, “The NCPD is putting alphas on almost every manhole in the city. Assuming the guards change over at dawn … we’ll be waiting for them.”

“And making damn sure they lead us to their new base,” Maverick adds.

They … used my intel. I thought Caleb had been ignoring me, looking for any excuse to take me out of the fight.

“It’s a gamble,” Caleb grits out, “and costly, in more ways than one.”

“What can we say?” Maverick grins. “We got tired of sitting on our asses.”

My inner omega twitches with excitement. Caleb listened to me. He knows I’m useful to the team—knows they can’t find the ring without me.

Finally, I sign, I’m coming.

Caleb exhales. “I’m guessing that was something about tagging along.”

No shit, I cut back.

“Think it through,” he growls. “You’re a big enough liability with two working feet. With one? You’d put the entire operation at risk.”

I try not to cringe.

“Don’t worry, kitten.” Maverick places a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure the guys will keep me posted. So I can keep you posted.”

This morning, I might’ve bitten his hand clean off. My inner omega was finally getting used to Pack Wilder’s scents, floating around me like a protective cocoon. Any intruders would not be welcome.

Yet now … I’m just relieved that someone can still touch me without flinching.

I don’t realize Caleb and Maverick are still talking, ironing out the details, until Caleb catches my eye.

“Use Maverick’s phone if you need to contact me. Otherwise …” his jaw flexes, “I’ll see you in a couple days.”

I’m not a pup, I want to snarl.

Instead, I nod once. Caleb’s shoulders sink ever-so-slightly, though whether he’s relieved or just exhausted, it’s hard to tell.

“Get some sleep, boss,” Maverick says. “Early start tomorrow.”

Caleb grunts. “I’ll show myself out.”

With a final, lingering look I can’t quite read, Caleb walks himself back the way we came. My inner omega is at a loss the second I can’t see him anymore, my heart clenching when I hear the door close.

Alpha really left, she whimpers. He left us here.

I remind myself that Caleb’s left me behind plenty of times. The only difference now is that the air is thick and charred, like his inner alpha was roaring to break free—maybe to tell me to stay the fuck away from him, and his pack, for good.

“Goddamn, omega.” Maverick sits next to me. “That is one bad vibe. You in pain?”

My cheeks feel hot. Pain?

He gestures. “Your ankle.”

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