“Fuck,” Tony groans. “This is so hot, babe.”

Good, I link him.Then come for me.

I suck at his tip, feeling the first drops of precum. Tony grabs me by my hair again, wanting to pull me back, but I stay, sucking at his dick until his orgasm hits him, and he comes right into my mouth. I swallow it down and smirk up at him.

“Damn it,” he growls. “Seeing you like that makes me hard all over again.”

He pulls me up and slams me against the wall. But before he can do anything, I put a hand on his chest, pushing him back. “This was round one,” I tell him sweetly. “If you want round two, come back home to me.”

47

Infiltrating the Base

*ANTHONY*

Wespentthewholeafternoon in the meeting, discussing and planning, but Uncle Elden was right. Eventually, we have to leave it to the teams to prepare individually. After my little intermezzo with my mate, I meet with Henry. We try to prepare for battle and change into the clothes we brought along. Serenade made sure that we all had dark clothes to dress in.

I know Henry is upset that Elodie is on her own with her sister, but it’s the same the other way round. She knows that her mate will be in danger, too.

Meanwhile, I have to leave Dalila behind. Just thinking about her staying here alone and so far away from me gives me anxiety, but there is no way I can drag her along to battle the cult.

Think of what she said in the storage room,Lys reminds me.We will go there, burn everything to the ground, and then come back home for round two with our mate.

Sometimes, I wish I could see it the same way my wolf does, but I can’t. Anxiety seems to be eating me alive. A glance towards Henry tells me he is battling similar feelings.

“It’s best to have Elodie where she is safest,” I tell him while we walk to Auset’s room.

“That would be at home,” he grumbles.

“It’s not going to work that way,” I say. “She is of alpha blood and an advisor for the Council, an agent if you will. This is her life. Preventing her from it will make her resent you.”

He furrows his brows and mutters something under his breath.

“Besides, she is worried for you too. It goes both ways.”

“I know you’re right,” he says. “But it doesn’t mean I like it.”

“Good enough.”

“How are you holding up?” he asks me.

I shrug. “See? I’m all talk. I’m trying to give you this pep talk about letting Elodie do what she needs to while I freak out myself.”

“Tony,” Henry says. “Dalila is here in Silverlake, one of the strongest packs in existence. Uncle Elden is here, and Aunt Flora. It’s almost impossible for something to happen to her.”

“Thealmostpart is what scares me,” I mutter.

“It’s not like I can’t sympathize,” Henry says quietly.

“Man,” I groan. “We are a pathetic pair.”

“Let’s make sure to focus on our task ahead and make sure to lead our friends through this safely,” Henry points out.

“You are right,” I say, nudging Henry towards Auset’s room, surprised to see how different it looks from the last time. Auset is in her normal clothes, though still in her hospital bed. Dalila has built up her equipment on an extra table, with tons of maps and plans lying around. Dad has officially handed over the command to us for this, so it’s truly just on Henry and me this time.

It makes me nervous, as it’s the first time we are doing something completely on our own, but also proud for the same reason. Uncle Elden’s words ring in my ears about how we need to step up our game because Dad will want to watch out for Mom and our little sister.

Dalila walks into the room, winking at me playfully. She furrows her brows a bit before…Hello, mate,she tells me. “Did it work?”