Page 66 of Dark Auctioned Mate

“We can get that information in other ways—”

“Not fast enough.” Alanis grabbed his hands. “Rael, I understand that it’s risky. I understand that it’s a lot to ask. But that is what I have been trained to do. The Lumen taught me how to infiltrate, collect intelligence, and survive in a hostile environment. This is literally what I do.”

“The Lumen did not train you to go back to a pack that previously tortured you. God, Alanis, this is not just another mission. This is personal, and I cannot—” his jaw clenched. “I cannot see you go there, while I watch, knowing what they did to you.”

“Then don’t watch,” Alanis said softly. “I just need you to trust that I can handle this.”

“This is not about trust.”

“Yes, it is.” She pulled his hands closer and pressed them to her chest. “I trust you to pull me out of there if you sense anything wrong, and I trust you to believe that I can take anything they dish out. That I am strong enough, intelligent enough, and competent enough to do this.”

Rael growled. “This is fucking insane. If something goes wrong—”

“I will try to make contact with you.”

“Alanis, I don’t—”

She cut him off with a soft kiss. Then pulled away and mumbled against his lips. “Please. Trust me.”

Rael rested his forehead against hers, his chest heaving. “I hate this. I hate everything about this plan.”

“I know.”

“But you are going to do it regardless.”

“I have to.”

He pulled back and gently cradled her face. “We are going to be smart about this. We set up protocols, emergency signals, and extraction plans. And should at any time I suspect that you are in danger—”

“You pull me out.”

“Damn right, I will.” He kissed her hard. “When this is all over, you and I are having a very important talk about you running into unnecessary risks. Now, you need a cover that is plausible, something that is going to explain why you are in this region. Something that does not automatically make you a suspect.”

Alanis and Rael spent the next two hours planning. Alanis would go in through the east, the opposite side of their surveillance stand.

“They will recognize you. Do not try to hide that. Make use of it.”

“Yeah. But I will spin it into the whole I am tired, desperate, and ready to submit at the price of not being alone anymore.”

“They will put you to the test.”

“I know.” The knots in her stomach twisted with anxiety. “I can handle it.”

“I know you can, and that frightens me.” Rael pulled out his phone. “I’m setting up a dead drop. If you can get a message out—names, locations, any intelligence—you leave it here.” He showed her a location on the map, a hollow tree about half a mile from the compound. “I’ll check it twice daily.”

“And if I need an emergency extraction?”

“Red cloth tied to the eastern fence post. I will be able to see it at our surveillance post, and I will come immediately.”

“How long can I stay?”

“Three days at most,” he said firmly. “Then, I’m hauling you out with or without the information.”

“Three days is more than enough”

She hoped she was right.

***