Page 11 of Eclipse of the Pack

Ivy became aware that they were on the move as Jon’s voice brought her back to reality.

“You wear the zombie look well, but it’s not exactly inconspicuous,” Jon murmured.

Ivy shook off the daze as they pushed down the street, being careful to keep her face angled away from passerby.

There was a bus stop up ahead. Ivy grabbed Jon’s hand and dragged him aboard.

She pushed change for two tickets into the kiosk as she and Jon sat in the back of the bus.

An inhale revealed no wolves, and although there were no guarantees concerning plainclothes PEACE agents, Ivy felt more in control than she had all day.

“There isn’t a coffee in the world for this type of tired,” Jon muttered as he leaned back. The fact that he remained so casual was both a comfort and annoyance.

“I can’t believe you,” she shook her head. Jon puffed out his lower lip in response before shifting closer to her.

“If the airport’s off the table,” he said slowly, “How do we get to the Elders?”

“No idea,” Ivy admitted. “We need a place to stay while this dies down- there’s a PEACE safehouse nearby we can use discreetly.”

It wasan effort not to collapse from exhaustion as Ivy locked the door of the safehouse behind them. Jon was less reluctant, flinging himself onto the couch with a groan.

Ivy went to work, securing windows and doors and sweeping for bugs. Once she was satisfied they were safe, she sunk into the armchair by the couch.

Jon had flipped onto his back, his eyes fixed on Ivy as she rubbed her temples. The intensity of his gaze made her squirm.

“I need to get out of these clothes,” Ivy said, suddenly feeling shy. Jon shifted up onto his elbows, his eyes brightening. “In thebedroom,” Ivy finished, rolling her eyes.

She grabbed her bag and hurried into the room, finding an old t-shirt and cotton shorts for the night.

After Ivy changed she looked at the bed.

Ivy couldn’t help imagining her and Jon tangled together in that bed. She’d been staving off the ache between her legs fordays and was half-tempted to duck into the bathroom and take care of it herself, but knew it’d do her no good.

Ivy padded back into the living space to find Jon at the kitchen counter. He turned around, revealing the plate in his hands.

“Ta-da!” Jon grinned, thrusting the plate forward.

He’d gone through the pantry and pulled together anything edible to make a mish-mash charcuterie board.

Jon had splayed Poptarts along the sides of the plate to frame goldfish, pieces of granola bars, and a bowl of canned fruit cocktail.

Ivy’s eyes pricked. With everything going on, Jon had still thought of her.

Jon’s smile faded as emotion overtook Ivy’s face. He set the plate down just as Ivy threw her arms around his neck, his arms twining around her waist in response.

“Thank you,” she choked, holding back tears. Jon ran a firm hand up the length of her spine, letting it rest at her neck as his lips brushed her ear.

“I would’ve given you food alot sooner had I known you’d react like this,” he said, his impish tone laced with roughness.

Jon reached behind him, grabbing the plate off the counter without detangling himself from Ivy, and settled them on the couch.

“I’m not ungrateful,” she started quietly, “But why are you here?”

Jon pulled back so he could look at her, his brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“You’re in an impossible situation because of me, and yet you’ve followed me every step of the way,” Ivy said.

“I’d follow you anywhere.” Jon shrugged. His complete lack of hesitation confirmed Ivy’s suspicions- he felt the mating bond too.

---