22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Anxiety, thick and cloying, was Riaz's constant companion. Hidden behind well-practiced smiles and a relaxed outlook, a casual observer would never guess that his wolf was pacing in his chest, claws tearing at his insides in an overwhelming urge to flee. In this, his wolf was fearful, but Riaz was not.

"Does your wolf want to evacuate?"

Ava, astute woman that she was, had seen past his fa?ade and pulled the rug out from under him. Riaz glanced up at her from where he sat cozily in his office chair amid the towers of papers and books.

"Not yet. But soon, perhaps."

"We'll make plans." Gadriel gave him a nod from the door. A question remained behind his eyes—a sentiment mirrored in Ava's.

"We'll strike at the plant prior to leaving," he confirmed, relishing the look of approval from both of his betas, "but we need to know the layout of the main facility. Have you acquired the plans, Gad?"

A disgruntled snort. "No. They don't exist anywhere but on paper, and those papers are locked securely in their offices … in the main facility."

"We know enough, however, to reasonably guess the layout." Ava propped herself against one of the chairs, stuffing her hands in her pockets. "If we can get in to confirm the furnace's make and model, Cortana said she can design the charges to make it look like a gas explosion."

Riaz nodded and got to his feet. "Tell me what I'm looking for."

Ava balked, the fierce look overtaking the shock seconds later. "You're not vaccinated, Riaz. We can send another to scout."

"The vaccine isn't one hundred percent effective, Ava. Besides, my wolf is keen to spill blood. I'd rather not tie his paws."

Ava cursed. "They already know we're gunning for them. They'll have ramped up security."

"Don't look now," Gadriel warned, "but your heart is showing, Ava."

Elbowing the other beta ruthlessly in the stomach, the she-wolf straightened and tapped out a text message on her phone. She watched emotionlessly as Riaz pulled a side arm from his top drawer and strapped it to his thigh.

"Just be careful, you overgrown pup."

A noise of consternation sounded from Riaz's chest. "What? Now you're channeling Aidan at me?"

Aidan, the first werewolf, was one of the few wolves that held dominance over Riaz. To the other man's twelve hundred years, Riaz was a pup—and he would never admit he found the endearment oddly comforting.

With a vengeful smile, he walked toward the door.

Arno joined him on his way toward the garage, casting him a distressed look. "Did you check to see if that pistol was in your quarters? I'm still one off in the count."

"No," Riaz grumbled. "Been a bit busy."

"No excuses, Alpha," the blond wolf replied. "I'd actually like to finish the inventory one day and waiting on you is like holding my breath for a sloth to win a sprint."

Taking a play from Ava's book, Riaz elbowed him in the stomach, grinning at the other man's grunt. They idly chatted as Ava argued with Gadriel behind them, and when they turned the corner, Cortana was already awaiting them.

"Going somewhere, Fido?"

The wolf inside Riaz lunged to the forefront upon seeing the vexing vampire, but the man huffed in disapproval. Spinning around, he cuffed his palm around the back of Ava's neck, chiding her.

"Ava."

Her wolf whimpered, the sound of it echoing against the wooden flooring as she bowed forward under his light pressure. He'd never throw strength into the gesture; would never hurt a woman in that way. Even without the reminder of her place in his pack, his second in command would know he was displeased.

Riaz growled, "Did you tattle on me to the Coffin Queen?"

"I may have sent a text, alpha."

"And why did you feel so inclined to share, Ava?"

"Hmm," Cortana mused, her pointer finger tapping against her pursed lips. "Perhaps it was because you're a big, lumbering puppy who howls at the moon? Or because you never lock that paper recycling center you call an office? Ah, no, I've got it: because you've decided to run right into the arms of the Citizens flaunting yourself like a pretentious peacock."

Riaz could only blink at her. Once his vocal cords started working again, he let Ava loose. "I … don't know which insult to address first."

"How about the one where you're flaunting yourself like a sequined Las Vegas showgirl."

Amusement and anger collided in a tangled mess of emotion, one eye twitching as he tilted his head, his wolf coming out to play.

"I happen to enjoy the Vegas showgirls." Riaz appreciated the fire that lit in her eyes, the touch of jealousy that spiked through her features. "Besides, what's a bit of razzle dazzle when your neck is on the line?"

"Are you unhinged?" Skepticism sharpened her features. "One hit from those bullets and it's bye-bye Riaz, hello rabid. Send someone who's been vaccinated."

All amusement left him in one fell swoop. "What are you, an armchair alpha? Lots of experience herding werewolves, have you?"

"None, but at least I don't put my own neck on the line when someone more fit for the job comes along."

Behind him, his betas sucked in a breath. Few things unrelated to his past riled Riaz, but insinuating that he was unfit to lead or protect his pack was tantamount to declaring war.

"Let's get one thing straight, Cortana Zervas." She snapped to attention when he used her full name. "You're an ambassador here. A guest. Honored as that may be, you don't get to tell me how to run my pack. And if I want to run screaming into that manufacturing plant in a sequined gown and feather headdress, there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Big brown irises stared up at him, unblinking, when he traced a knuckle across her cheekbone. "You'd look ridiculous in a sequined gown."

A scoffing laugh escaped him, the tension dissipating. "Glad we agree on something."

"You're also ridiculous for making the sacrifice play."

"If I lay down my life to protect those I call my own, then I do it willingly." Stepping into her personal space, the wolf in Riaz required her subservience. The fact that she wasn't one of his pack was irrelevant. "Can you honestly admit you'd do something different if those of your House were on the line? Your sire?"

Holding eye contact, Riaz saw the flicker of doubt that crossed her mind. The vampire didn't concede submission, just raised her chin in defiance instead.

"So, where are we stealing the glitzy gowns from?"

His wolf sharpened his claws. "Hell no."

"After your whole ‘I am alpha, hear me roar'—eh, howl—tirade?" Quirking an eyebrow, Cortana's hands went to the dagger holstered on her hip. "In what world does the Big Bad Werewolf get to play and I don't?"

"Do you ever do as you're told?"

Cortana didn't miss a beat. "Do you ever stop telling people what to do?"

Riaz barked a laugh. "Perk of the whole alpha thing." Glancing over his shoulder, he tossed his next words at his bemused betas. "We're leaving. We'll send passenger pigeons if we're in trouble."