"Let's do this the easy way," Josh says next. "Before Bane charges in and drags you back to our apartment himself."
Nobody wants that. Well played, Josh.
I sigh and look to Marlow. "Still think it's a trap?"
He gives Josh a hard stare for another few seconds before shaking his head. "Nah. If you trust him, that's good enough for me." My chest does something complicated and inconvenient at those words. Before I can dwell, he continues. "But how are you going to get us into the city?"
"With magic," I answer. "Right?"
Josh shakes his head and gives us a sly smile. "No, there's an easier option."
Turns out, he's right.
Hiding us in the trunk of his car with some scent blockers is much easier, even if it's uncomfortable.
Bane grew up in the Iron Pack just like me. I never measured up, but he was the golden child. Tough, ferocious, yet still capable of turning on the charm, Bane’s loved by the majority of Iron wolves. So when his mate drives in and out throughthe front gates in Bane's signature, eye-catching red sports car, nobody bothers questioning him or stopping the car.
Sure, being wedged into the entirely too small trunk with another grown man is an extremely tight fit that tests my sanity, especially when I'm desperately trying not to notice how Marlow's solid chest presses against my back, or how his breath tickles my neck every time we hit a pothole. But compared to our other options, I'll take cramped over captured any day.
At least something is finally going right for us.
And it will be nice to see my cousin Bane, even if I'm a little worried about what he thinks of the mess I've gotten myself into this time.
16.Sleepover at the Alpha's House
Wynn
“Bane’s waiting for you in the kitchen.”
Josh sends me off to find my cousin while he works on sneaking Marlow into the apartment unseen.
Inside, the lights are dimmed in honor of our arrival, but I don't need my enhanced senses to navigate. Though they haven't lived here long, I've already been here so often that the place feels like a second home. Bane doesn't love coming to my place since he thinks my roommate is "too much." Guess he has that in common with Marlow.
The kitchen overlooks a bustling city street, and it's a great view, but all the curtains are shut tight when I enter, blocking out the world.
I find Bane behind the counter, fists resting on the grey and white marble, his expression grim.
"What have you gotten yourself into, Wynn Blackwood?" comes the deep rumble.
"Believe me, I’ve been asking myself the same question."
If any other Alpha with hard-packed muscle loomed over me with murder in his eyes, I might turn with my tail between my legs and bolt. But the stern Alpha act only lasts another second before Bane’s striding over and wrapping me in a tight hug.
There he is, my best friend and cousin. Questioning my judgment but still totally in my corner. That's family. It's good to see him.
"I’m so sorry for dragging you guys into this," I say as soon as we pull apart.
Bane raises an eyebrow. "Do you think that’s what happened? Josh and I have been trying to track you down since you left. We want to help.”
"Well, I'm sorry there's something for you to get involved in."
"Come on, man. Have a beer. Bet you could use one."
My cousin has two cold beers with the caps popped off and ready to go, one for each of us. And that’s what makes him my best friend.
"When did you realize something was going on?" I ask after taking a long drink.
"Almost immediately," Bane replies, which hurts my pride a little.
