Page 4 of Unhinged Alphas

They nod, falling into position as I approach the door. I pause outside, my hand hovering over the knob. I can hear her breathing on the other side, slow and steady. Calm.

She's safe. She's alive.

The mantra repeats in my head as I ease the door open, my breath catching in my throat at the sight of her. She's curled up in her nest, a tangle of blankets and pillows that still carry the faintest traces of her scent. Honeysuckle and sunlight, warm and sweet.

My own personal taste of heaven.

She stirs as I approach, those striking aquamarine eyes blinking open. "Thane?" she mumbles, her voice thick with sleep. Still exhausted from her heat. "What's happening?"

"Not much," I say, crouching down beside her. "Everything's fine. Justchecking in."

She frowns, pushing herself up on her elbows. "The convoy?"

"In the guest house," I confirm, reaching out to brush a stray lock of auburn hair away from her cheek. It's a risk, considering I don't know how she's going to react to us now that she's no longer in heat, but she doesn't flinch away, so I take that as a small victory. "Valek's got them under control."

Her brow furrows, a flicker of uncertainty darting through her gaze. "Where's Wraith?"

"With Valek and the convoy," I reply.

She watches me carefully. "What if something happens?"

"Then we'll handle it," I vow. "We won't let anything happen to you, Ivy. I promise."

She keeps searching my face, those sea glass eyes seeming to pierce straight through to my soul. Finally, she nods, leaning slightly into my touch. "I believe you," she says quietly. As if she doesn't want to say that at all.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, stealing the breath from my lungs, even if she didn't say she trusted me. Knowing her, I'm sure that was a conscious word choice, but still. The fact that she's even willing to give any of us a chance at all after what's been done to her…

It humbles me, even as it terrifies me.

Because the only thing that scares me as much as losing her isfailingher.

I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to her brow. "Rest now," I murmur. "I'll be back soon."

She nods, already sinking back into the pillows as her eyes flutter closed. I linger for a moment longer, just watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. Memorizing every detail, every curve and hollow.

Mine.

Ours.

The thought is a primal growl, a possessive need that sinks its claws deep into my chest. I want to stay, to wrap myself around her and shield her from the world.

But I can't. Not yet.

With a final, lingering glance, I tear myself away and slip back out into the hall. Whiskey and Plague are still there, but Plague has a briefcase in his gloved hand now.

"She's fine," I say, answering their unspoken question. "Sleeping."

They nod, some of the tension easing from their shoulders.

"Here," Plague says, his glove creaking as hehands me the briefcase. "The sooner these assholes get their money, the sooner they can be on their way."

I grunt an acknowledgment, my hand wrapping around the handle of the suitcase. "You two stay with Ivy. Anything seems off, you get her out. Understand?"

They nod, their eyes hard as flint. "With our lives," Plague vows.

Whiskey grins, but it doesn't reach his eyes like usual. "And theirs, if it comes to it. If there's any fun left for us after Wraith's twisted 'em all into human balloon animals."

I nod, turning on my heel and striding out, the suitcase a lead weight in my hand.