Page 65 of Depraved
Elena cants her head to one side. Maybe she realizes she just sent me into an emotional tailspin. She steps forward and wraps her arms around my waist. Her cheek nestles next to my chest. “Not for real. This is just to catch Thomas Stone.”
She says that. Maybe even wants it to be true. But we both know it’s not. What choice will she have?
I tighten my arms around her, this girl I’ve always loved but who’s never really been mine.
But then I pull back, and I force that shit down. I’m not going to blubber in front of her. Not when she’s confiding in me and asking for my help. Especially not when she’s saying she’s going to take down a psycho. I blow out a deep breath, trying to re-center myself. I need to focus on Thomas Stone. Not anything else. Because my family could have been in that pack house. Because other people’s family memberswere. Because none of us are safe until he’s gone. Any other worries take a backseat.
I straighten my shoulders and look down at her. “Sorry. What is the dress shop thing?”
Elena quickly realizes I don’t want to linger on that other topic. Her eyes search mine for a second before she slides back into business mode.
“Once word gets out, I know he’ll come for me. I’m guessing at the store because it won’t be locked up as tight as this place.”
I’m about to ask how she knows all this, but then Elena does this inhale and head-tilt thing that’s super creepy. It’s the same thing my mom does whenever she wants to smack me for questioning her. So I keep my mouth shut.
Elena, once she sees I’m going to hold my tongue, calms down. Or, tries to. She still taps her painted fingernails against her thumb, energy buzzing through her. “He’s going to show. But I need your help convincing the alphas to back off and let him get close enough so they can trap him.”
Me convincing alphas. Sounds like a breeze. Not.
Pluto hasn’t even acknowledged me for the past day. Whenever I come across him in the house, he just stares past me like I’m not even there.
Even if I had a direct line to any of the alphas, I don’t think I could convince them of this plan. It sounds way too dangerous. But there’s absolutely zero chance I’m telling my mate she’s gone off the deep end.
I clear my throat and say, “Elena, they’ll never listen to a beta—“
“You’re the beta elite. They have to listen.”
Aw, crap.
I grind my teeth. I haven’t told her that the whole beta elite thing is bullshit. I can’t monster out; I can’t give alpha commands. There’s nothingeliteabout me. I’m just freakishly unsettled and no longer quite as submissive as before.
I’m another problem in Black’s long list of issues.
Elena takes my silence as agreement, returning to pacing and planning, wringing her hands. “I’m not sure what to tell Black. If I tell him I think I’m in danger or that I’m Thomas Stone’s target, he’ll just put me in a lockdown. Probably throw me in the basement again. But what else can I tell him to get him home and make him stop chasing those stupid bikers?”
I give an eye roll and a harsh chuckle. Of all the things for Elena to get hung up on, that’s the easiest part. She’s not worried a ton about her vulnerability on the drive there, or the security of the place, or even the fact that she’s seriously thinking about taking on a murderer. As an omega. She’s stuck on something simple. “Just tell him you’re going into heat.”
Shit. Why did I say that out loud? Idiot, why are you helping with this stupid plan?
My wolf grins smugly at me as he pops into view off to my left side, like a little fucking floating devil. Did he push me to say that? He pops back out of sight before I can scold him.
Meanwhile, Elena’s eyes widen like she just won the lottery. “That’s it!” She comes at me and grabs either side of my face, pulling me down for a swift kiss on the cheek.
A lump forms in my throat because I realize how serious she is about going through with this. Suddenly, I wonder how many more of those I’m going to get. If she really is right, and her plan works, then Thomas Stone is out of the picture. What then? Black would have to address the other problems on his list. Bikers, the pack house, but eventually, he’ll get to me.
Pluto’s words ring in my head. “Your wolf isn’t complying. And you’re competition for his mate.”
I hardly notice when she makes a phone call. I can tell she’s pouring it on, but that’s solely based on the tone of her voice and how she gets all breathy without warning.
When she hangs up, she gives a squeal. “I think he bought it!”
“I’m surprised we haven’t had Matthew climbing up here to lock us away from all the other alphas,” I try to find some humor somewhere, but my delivery is flat.
And I spoke too soon; the second I’m finished with that sentence, there’s a knock on the door. Matthew opens it, a phone to his ear. “Yes, sir.” He hangs up the phone and turns to us. “In heat again so soon, Luna?”
Elena blushes furiously. “Alpha Maddox has requested you call me and let me know your wishes before you move around the house.”
Elena’s nostrils flare. “I can’t move around the house?”
