What if we can never find a cure?
My heartbeat pounds with an intensity that makes my ears throb and my bones shake. The thought of losing my twin wrenches through me. It would be like losing a limb. But I can see in his eyes that he doesn’t want to dwell in that misery. His jaw is already clenching. And so I circle back to the reason that I came.
“But if you wanted to,” I continue, ignoring his blunder. For his sake. I can tell that the last thing he wants to do is have an in-depth discussion on his waning health. “Would our parents let you?”
Teddie stares at me as if I’ve gone insane before nodding once. “Of course. It would be good publicity to have their son fighting with the troops. They’ll, of course, send a team of publicists withme, as well as a fleet of armed guards. Why?” His brows bank together in the center of his forehead. “Do you want me to go to the front lines?”
A flicker of hurt seeps across his expression before he can mask it.
“No,” I cut in quickly, reaching across the table to capture his hand in mine. “Iwant to go.”
Shock momentarily slackens his jaw. This time when he stares at me, I don’t feel as if he’s questioning my sanity. He already decided that I’m certifiable.
“Brylee.”
He seems to be choosing his words very, very carefully. I can practically see the gears grinding in his head and smoke billowing from his ears. He opens and closes his mouth repeatedly, but not another word comes out.
“Get Mom to send you to the front.” I rush to get the words out while there’s still air in my lungs. I’m honestly afraid I’m going to pass out. “Send publicists. Send a team of guards. I don’t care. Please, Teddie. You need?—”
“Woah. Woah. Slow down.” Teddie sandwiches my hand between both of his. “What’s going on? Brylee, you need to explain yourself.”
“My mates, Teddie. My scent matches.” Tears flood my eyes, and a few wayward droplets drip down my cheeks. “Mom sent them to the front line.”
Teddie’s expression immediately hardens. “What?”
“She wants me to marry a different pack, and… It doesn’t matter. The point is, she sent my guys to the front line, and I need… I need to get to them. You have to understand,” I plead, beseeching him with my eyes.
And I can see that he does understand.
Teddie has been with his omega, Caran, for years now. I imagine they’ll go through hell for each other, and vice versa. I don’t know where Caran is currently—probably still asleep in their bed—but Teddie would be absolutely devastated if they were separated and Caran was put in harm’s way.
“Bry, you have to know this is insane. Insane and dangerous.” Teddie’s hands instinctively flex around mine.
“I need to do it,” I tell him.
“Fuck.” He releases me and settles back in his chair, appearing dazed. “Okay. Fuck. I’ll see what I can do.”
Hope swells in my chest, a balloon inflated with helium, and I can’t stop the big, dopey smile from erupting on my face as I swipe away the tear tracks. “I love you so fucking much.”
“You better,” Teddie scoffs.
A soft smile breaks through his arrogant façade, and it warms my entire chest.
“But I will need you to do one more thing for me.” I clear my throat as I nonchalantly study my nails.
When I was a full-time student at Darling Academy, they were always painted a bright pink or red—either something unassuming or something designed to draw the eye, dependingon the scenario. Now they’re chipped and rugged, the nails in desperate need of a cleaning.
“What?” Suspicion laces Teddie’s tone.
“How do you feel about wearing a wig?”
31
BRYLEE
I'm feeling infinitely lighteras I leave Teddie's wing. There's a skip to my step that wasn’t there prior, a bounce in my movements that feels foreign yet exhilarating. The air seems crisper, the colors brighter, as if the world itself is celebrating my small victory.
Stage one of my master plan: success.
