Chapter 39
"Twenty-four hours," Brodie replied without hesitation. "We know a human who runs a food truck business near the border territories. Owed us a favour after we helped him out of some trouble with a rogue pack last year."
"And I've got contacts among the pack females who've worked in human establishments," Miles added. "Servers who know how to blend in, gather information without seeming suspicious."
Through their bond, Ioannis felt Nickolas's admiration for the plan mixing with his protective concern. "It puts our people in significant danger," he pointed out. "If the humans realise they're being observed..."
"Then we make sure they don't," Luna Holland said firmly. "This isn't just about gathering intelligence, it's about demonstrating that we're not the primitive savages Marcus has been describing to his contacts."
Garrett cleared his throat from his cell. "There's something else," he said, drawing their attention back to him. "Marcus mentioned that the human observers would have their own security detail. Ex-military types who've been briefed on werewolf capabilities."
"Armed?" Federico asked grimly.
"Extensively," Garrett confirmed. "Silver ammunition, wolfsbane gas canisters, electronic tracking devices. They're prepared for werewolf threats."
Brodie's expression grew serious. "That changes the risk calculation significantly."
"But not the necessity," Ioannis countered, her artistic intuition telling her this was still the right approach. "If anything, it makes the food truck cover more important. Armed security won't pay attention to catering staff—they'll be focused on potential direct threats."
Jordyn pulled out a small notebook, his strategic mind already working through contingencies. "We'll need backup plans. Extraction routes for the food truck team in case of emergencies. Communication systems that work without electronic signals, humans might intercept."
"And diversions," Nickolas added, his tactical mind working in perfect harmony with Ioannis's creative one. "If our operators are compromised, we need ways to draw attention elsewhere."
Miles was practically vibrating with excitement now. "I've been experimenting with smoke bombs disguised as cooking accidents. Completely non-toxic but creates impressive distractions."
"Of course you have," Jordyn muttered, though his lips twitched with reluctant amusement. "Is there any form of chaos you two haven't weaponised?"
"Opera singing," Brodie replied promptly. "But only because we haven't found the right tactical application yet. Although we have found human children's TV theme songs quite effective."
Despite the gravity of their situation, Ioannis found herself smiling. Through their bond, she felt Nickolas's appreciation for the twins' ability to maintain levity even in crisis, a trait he recognised as valuable for morale.
"We should bring Violeta into this planning," Luna Holland suggested unexpectedly. "If she's truly remorseful, her knowledge of Marcus's operations could prove invaluable."
Alpha Brightwater, who had been silently observing the discussion, nodded slowly. "My niece has much to atone for. This could be her opportunity to begin making amends."
"Under strict supervision," Federico added firmly.
"Agreed," Alpha Holland said. "But first, we need to create the public illusion of disarray that Marcus will expect. Federico, organise a visible increase in perimeter patrols, make it look frantic, uncoordinated."
"And I'll call an emergency council meeting," Luna Holland suggested. "Very public, very urgent. Let Marcus's informants see exactly what they expect to see."
As the group began dividing responsibilities, assigning roles for their elaborate deception, Ioannis felt Nickolas's hand find hers. Through their bond flowed his pride, his love, his absolute faith in their ability to overcome this threat together.
"You're incredible," he murmured, his voice pitched only for her ears. "Most new Lunas would be overwhelmed by all this."
"Most new Lunas don't have you," she replied simply, the dual pendants at her throat pulsing warmly as their connection deepened. "Besides, artists are used to reimagining reality. This is just a different kind of canvas."
His smile transformed his serious features, sending a flutter of warmth through their bond. "When this is over," he promised, "we're going to have the proper mating celebration you deserve. No threats, no challenges, just us and our packs celebrating."
"I'm going to hold you to that," Ioannis warned, though her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "And I expect it to involve those Moon Roses you mentioned during our first meeting."
"Every single one I can find," Nickolas vowed, his fingers gently tracing her cheek, before leaning in for a kiss. The kiss deepened quickly, and the world seemed to shrink around them so that they were the only two people left.
“Well, Brodie, what do we have here?” Miles said, with a grin.
“I don’t know Miles, but it does appear to be that our Alpha heir who seems to have become a love-sick pup. Interesting.” Brodie said with a similar grin as he stroked his chin.
The kiss broke abruptly as Nickolas's cheeks flushed, though his arm remained protectively around Ioannis's waist. Through their bond, she felt his embarrassment warring with amusement at the twins' inevitable commentary.
"Ignore them," Jordyn advised wearily, though his eyes held fond exasperation as he watched his younger brothers. "They've been making inappropriate observations about pack dynamics since they learned to talk."
"Simultaneously," Brodie added helpfully. "It was quite disturbing for our parents."
"Still is," Miles confirmed with a grin that was identical to his twin's. "But Luna Ioannis should get used to it; we're very thorough in our observations of pack leadership behaviour."
Alpha Holland cleared his throat, drawing attention back to the matter at hand. "As entertaining as this is, we have less than eighteen hours before Marcus expects some kind of response to his escape. We need to move our pieces into position."
"Right," Ioannis said, forcing herself to focus despite the lingering warmth from Nickolas's kiss. "Brodie, Miles, how quickly can you contact your food truck associate?"
"Give us two hours," Brodie replied, his demeanour shifting back to professional competence. "Jake owes us more than one favour, and he's always been curious about werewolf cuisine anyway."
"And the female servers?" Luna Holland asked.