Chapter 124
Harper’s POV
The forest around us is thriving despite the awful aura of the Domain not far from where we crouch. Even from this far off, I can feel the atmosphere change from the quiet calm of the forest to the cold, sharp intensity of the Domain.
Mason crouches on my left and Jax on my right, their eyes pinned to the Domain’s building. The two Council guards that volunteered to come were the ones we sent inside since they’re not familiar to the Domain.
We didn’t want to risk being recognized.
Just from what I can see, the Domain had strengthened their outer defenses. From our higher position, we can see the building clearly. Guards are all over the place, patrolling in groups that are at least three in size, which is more than before.
I focus my eyes, using my wolf sight to see clearly. More guards stand at the main entrance, flanking the doors and checking the ID of everyone who enters.
To be expected.
Tapping the comms unit in my ear, I whisper, “North side has heavier patrols near the path that leads to the exit. Moving clockwise.”
A crackle sounds in my ear before one of the Councils’ men responds, “North side inner door has a group of guards blocking the exit as well.”
Mason moves at my side, reaching over for the notepad I’ve been scribbling in. I watch as he jots down a few minor notes before he passes it back.
“The South side of the building leads to the hallways where we found the wolves. Somehow, we need to find a way into those halls because they’ll lead to the interior levels and the control room,” I murmur into the comms while scanning the building.
“They’re vulnerable from above,” Jaxon says, pointing.
I quickly shove his hand down, not wanting any movement to be seen by the Domain’s guards. No matter how dark it is, any movement could be caught on cameras or seen by patrols. Slipping two men inside was hard enough, but if we’re seen, we might not be able to get away without trouble.
“There’s no movement on the roof, but…” I focus my gaze further and scan the dark roof. “It seems that there’s an entrance we could break in through.”
“Guards rotate every four minutes, so entry through the roof and the service entrances would be your best bet,” one of our inside men says. “Coming through the front would be the worst choice. There are too many guards inside and not enough gaps in the inner patrols.”
Nodding, I take down the notes of what we observe and thoughts on how to infiltrate. Each note I make, I either add sketches or personal thoughts about the building. By the time the Council’s guards get back to us, I’ve documented timings and locations of patrols, entrances and doors, blind spots, and the roof access.
“Let’s head back. Hopefully we have enough to form a good infiltration plan,” I whisper before tucking my notebook in my bag and carefully shuffling back into the darkness of the forest. The men move with me, staying around me in a protective circle as we all shift and run home.
Lucas’s POV
The moment Harper appears at the tree line, my chest loosens and the worry that was strangling my lungs dissipates. Relief fills me, and I’m moving toward her before I can stop myself. I haven’t felt right since she left but seeing her here and safe is a huge weight off my shoulders.
As I walk to her, Harper shifts and runs over, “I got it the information!” She waves a notebook in my face, her free hand gripping my forearm as she smiles widely.
The confidence and excitement in her voice brings a smile to my face as well, and I wrap an arm around her waist to guide her toward my office. The men follow us, and the entire way upstairs, Harper talks. She praises Reed and Bash, the Councils’ men, on their sneaky infiltration tonight.
“And I took notes on everything we thought would be helpful,” she finally says as she pushes her notebook at my chest.
With her joy, I can’t help but open the notebook and scan through the sketches and notes. Not only does she completely and in depth mention the patrols and guards, but she details all the entrances and exits.
I’m amazed at her, and the more I read, the prouder I become. Mason had mind linked with me during the mission to tell me how well Harper was doing, but I couldn’t dwell on his compliments then because of my worry. Now, I can focus and see exactly what he’d meant. She’s incredibly detailed and determined.
Even then, her notes confirm that the Domain hasn’t moved, which concerns me a bit. If they’re still in the same location, this could go much deeper than we know.
“Entry from above?” I ask, looking down at Harper.
She nods, “Yes. The outer patrols are all on the base level, so if we can get to the roof, I think it would be easier to enter there.” She lifts her eyes and catches my stare to continue. “Their patrols are heavy, but the rotations are easy to avoid because of the gaps. There are also a few blind spots we can use to our advantage if we approach from these spots.”
She points at two sketches on her makeshift map.
“Roof entry is risky, but it would be better than getting caught,” I mutter, thinking about the control room’s location. “You did good, Harper. These notes will be a phenomenal help in planning…”
I turn to the others in the room, “You all did a great job. Thank you.”
Each of them excuses themselves, and it’s only after they’ve left that Harper sits in one of my chairs. “We need every advantage we can get. I wasn’t going to fail because this is important to you…” she pauses, a hint of pink tinting her cheeks before she quickly adds, “and everyone else.”
Moving closer, I note the way her pulse spikes with each step I take in her direction. It rises, and the sweet scent of desire mixes with the tangy scent of anxiety when I lean over her. My hands come down on the chair’s arms, caging her in, and her heart goes wild.
“I knew you wouldn’t fail.” My voice is quiet and raspy as I brush my knuckles along her cheek. “You’ve done more for this pack than they realize, and I’m proud of you for that. But seeing you go off on your own killed me.”
Her eyes widen, and my chest tightens painfully at the memory of the worry I felt.
“I couldn’t stand the thought that something might go wrong. If you’d been hurt—”
“I wasn’t,” she says softly.
Green eyes peer up at me, full of warmth and understanding. Her strength is admirable, and the longer I stare down at her, the more I want to kiss her.
“You make it look so effortless,” I mutter, pulling Harper to her feet. She gasps as I turn both our bodies, sit down, and pull her into my lap. For a moment, she stills, but then she turns to look up at me.
“What looks effortless?”
“Everything… and I know none of this has been easy for you,” I clarify. “That’s why I’ll be with you. For this mission and in life, I’ll be by your side, protecting you.”
“And I’ll be by your side, too. Always.”
