Page 82 of Reckless: Corruption

“You’re magnificent,” he murmurs, one hand brushing sweaty hair from my face. “Stubborn, reckless, and absolutely necessary to this pack.”

The words hit deeper than any physical pleasure, touching parts of me that have always felt temporary, replaceable. Like deprecated code just waiting to be overwritten.

“I’m staying,” I promise, needing him to believe it. “No more running.”

“Good,” he says simply, lowering me gently to my feet. “Because I’d just hunt you down anyway.”

I laugh despite myself, the sound unexpectedly free. “That’s such an alpha response.”

“It’s the only response.” His thumb brushes over my lower lip. “You’ve made yourself essential, Cayenne. To all of us.”

As we clean up and dress—movements now comfortable rather than awkward—a new ease settles between us. Not perfection, not completion, but... a beginning. Trust rebuilt through vulnerability and shared strength, through surrender and acceptance.

Ryker’s phone chimes just as I’m pulling my tank top back on. His expression shifts as he reads the message, the tender moment dissolving into tactical assessment.

“What is it?” I ask, immediately alert.

“Anonymous tip.” He shows me the screen—coordinates, security details, a brief message: Sterling backup research facility. Minimal security. Data servers contain original virus formula.

I frown at the timing. “That’s... suspiciously convenient. Like finding a backdoor right after patching the main entrance.”

“Someone’s watching us,” Ryker agrees, eyes meeting mine. “Question is, are they helping or hunting?”

“Could be Mona,” I suggest, though something doesn’t quite fit. “This has her chaotic precision all over it.”

“Or it could be Sterling, leading us exactly where he wants us.” His voice carries the weight of responsibility—not just for me now, but for our entire pack. I see the calculation in his eyes, weighing Theo’s suppressed heat, Finn’s recovering strength, the threat to all betas, and the limited time we have to act.

“Who sent it?” I move closer, studying the message like a suspicious code snippet.

“Untraceable.” His eyes meet mine, all afterglow gone, replaced by strategic focus. “But the security details match what we know about Sterling’s operations.”

“It could be a trap,” I warn, even as my mind races through possibilities.

“Undoubtedly.” His smile holds no humor. “But it’s also our first solid lead on Sterling’s research.” He types a quickresponse, presumably to the rest of the pack. “I need to check with Finn about this—his analysis will tell us if it’s credible.”

“And Theo? His heat suppressant...?” I let the question hang, acknowledging his divided responsibilities.

His expression softens slightly at my concern for our omega. “Mona’s injection is holding, but we need to move fast. The longer we wait, the more betas die and the more her suppressant will strain his system.”

The mention of other betas—countless strangers facing the same virus that nearly killed Finn, the same danger that still lingers in my blood—sharpens my focus. This isn’t just about us anymore.

“Gear up,” Ryker says, decision clearly made. “We move at midnight.”

“The witching hour,” I murmur. “How appropriate.”

“Appropriate?” He raises an eyebrow.

“For hunting monsters,” I clarify, already mentally cataloging what we’ll need. “That’s what we’re doing, isn’t it? Hunting the monsters who think betas are expendable?”

His hand finds the back of my neck, grip firm but gentle. “Yes. And we’re bringing them down. Together this time.”

“Together,” I agree, leaning into his touch. “As a pack.”

The word doesn’t feel foreign anymore. Doesn’t feel like a Windows forced update or a permission-grabbing app. It feels like choice. Like strength. Like home.

Whatever waits for us in Sterling’s facility, whatever dangers lurk in the shadows, we’ll face them as one. No more lone wolf tactics. No more noble sacrifices. Just a pack, standing together against the darkness.

And for the first time since I ran, I truly believe we might win.

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