Everyone else is milling about in the small courtyard, where the coach lamps create a pocket of gold light in the night, aided by the large full moon.
Just as Finn had said, Jay is pacing, his agitation revealing how pissed he is at having to stay away from his mates lest he transfer his scent.
Nix is doing the same, but in the opposite direction—pissed because everyone is wearing scent blockers and he can’t smell them.
Between the two of them, they’d had to be outside as soon as possible with someone willing to enforce their separation (Gideon), so as not to set the entire pack off into a re-bonding scenting frenzy.
This was already fucking hard.
What were the next few hours going to be like?
Leo shuts the cottage door with a hard pull, and abruptly, all eyes are on him.
“Okay, teams. Let’s hit it,” he says, tossing the keys to the CR-V to Gideon.
It’ll give the alpha something to think about besides Carnell.
Seems the rest of Team Omega had already said their goodbyes, because Luca and Nix give a synchronized last wave before following Gideon into the SUV.
In seconds, Leo is squeezed in between Grayson and Finn.
Not sure he has the words, but in the end he decides on the simplest, “Kick ass, Gray.”
“You, too. I’m ready.” He grins, waving as he walks away, letting a few sparks snap and sizzle on his fingertips.
Not at all reassured, Leo turns to the one man he can always rely on to keep his head.
“Finnie, just…”
“Don’t let Rowan do anything stupid. Yeah, but you have to know only Grayson can do actual magic.”
Finn means for Leo to laugh, but he can’t bring himself to do more than gift him a small smile.
“No, I mean yes. Please do that. But also…keep them alive, yeah?” Leo looks into Finn’s eyes, wishing he could smell his sweet berry scent one last time before they go. He’s truly worried most about Jay throwing himself in front of another bullet—real or magical.
“It’s my top priority.” He hesitates and glances over Leo’s shoulder at Gideon. The other alpha is staring straight ahead out the windshield, jaw clenched.
“You, too. He’s waited a long time for this confrontation, and I’m worried he’s going to do something dangerous.”
Yeah, Leo worries about that, too—they’d be stupid to think Gideon didn’t have a plan.
Why he thought it was a good idea to just walk right in the front door, he’ll never know. It just seemed like it’s the right thing. The best way to finish Carnell once and for all—the way it’s supposed to go.
Shaking the feeling off, he squeezes Finn one last time.
“We’re following you as far as we can. Text me and keep your head down. Carnell is watching for you, too.”
“We will. Text me when it’s done.” Finn smiles as he walks backward toward the vehicle, before climbing into the passenger seat.
Jay is still standing by the Buick’s driver’s side, watching them, his hands clenched at his sides. He opens his mouth to say something, once and then again, before shaking his head. Finally, he smiles.
“Be good, baby. Bring them back to me.”
“Yeah, just don’t fucking die this time.” Leo points with a fierce look at his Pack Alpha. “Love you.”
Sliding into the driver’s seat of the red SUV, Jay rolls the window down so he can lean out. “Love you, too.”
From the back seat, Rowan’s voice rings out with a cheerful, “Have fun storming the castle, boys!” just before Jay shifts into reverse.
