Chapter 33: Wraith

Chapter

Thirty-Three

WRAITH

E verything hurts my nose.

Sweet fake scents.

Burning my nostrils.

Can't smell Ivy.

Can't smell anything real.

Just fake sweetness.

Like rotting candy.

Makes my head spin.

Keep close to her.

Have to protect her.

The club pulses around us.

Too many lights.

Too many sounds.

Too many bodies.

Press closer to Ivy.

Shield her small frame with my bulk.

Keep her safe.

That's my purpose.

My only purpose.

Head pounds.

Lights flash.

Red.

Purple.

Blue.

Like lightning in my skull.

Can't focus.

Too much movement.

Too many threats.

Keep Ivy closer.

Don't trust golden alpha.

He might have lied.

Apparently already lied once.

Probably lying now, then.

Nobody expected him here.

That much is clear.

This could all be a trap.

But what can we do?

Can only keep climbing.

So many floors.

Up.

Up.

Up.

Bodies press around us.

Alphas in masks.

Predators hiding their faces.

Like us.

But not like us.

They're soft.

Weak.

Only playing at being dangerous.

Music vibrates through my bones.

Makes my teeth ache.

Sharp edges scraping together.

Need my real mask.

Hate this fancy one.

Feels wrong.

But covers my monster face.

Have to pretend I'm not a real beast.

That's what matters.

Touch my own mask.

Make sure it's still there.

If anyone sees, they'll scream.

Will draw too much attention.

Glimpse her ahead of me.

Just the sight of her makes me euphoric.

Even in this shithole.

An angel in hell.

Thane leads us higher.

Up more spiral stairs.

Up.

Up.

Up.

Further up into hell.

Shouldn't it be further down?

An omega in a butterfly mask sways past.

Her hips swinging.

Trying to catch our attention.

Don't care.

Only have eyes for one omega.

My omega.

My sun.

More omegas drift by.

Their eyes lingering on me.

Why?

What are they even looking at?

One in a fox mask stops.

Leans close.

Too close.

"Hi, stranger."

Her voice drips with invitation.

Her eyes roam over my muscled body.

What the fuck?

What does she want?

I growl low.

Would never hurt an omega.

But I can scare them.

"The strong, silent type," fox mask omega purrs.

Fuck.

Didn't work.

Fox mask omega reaches for me.

Another growl.

This one's Ivy's.

She gets between us.

Fox mask omega backs away.

Eyes wide behind her mask.

Looks at Ivy like she's crazy.

Walks away fast.

Good.

She should be afraid.

My omega bites.

Thane looks back at us.

"Don't blow our cover," he mutters.

"Sorry," Ivy says flatly.

Doesn’t sound sorry.

We keep moving.

Following my brother's lead.

Up spiraling stairs.

Past more grinding bodies.

More hungry eyes.

More wrong scents.

Hold my breath when I can.

Try not to smell it all.

Focus on following Ivy.

On keeping her safe.

On trying to catch just a hint of her scent.

Her perfect, pure scent.

Have to protect her.

Have to get her through this.

Have to complete the mission.

Then we can go...

Home?

Is Surhiira home now?

Don't know.

Don't care.

Home is wherever Ivy is.

We reach the top floor.

More guards here.

More weapons hidden under suits.

More cameras watching.

My muscles coil.

Ready to fight.

Ready to kill.

But have to stay calm.

Have to play my part.

Thane leads us down a hallway.

Red velvet walls.

Gold trim everywhere.

Like blood and wealth mixed together.

Private room three.

That's our target.

Two guards flank the door.

They eye us warily.

Good instincts.

They should be afraid.

"Private showing," one says.

His hand rests on his gun.

"We have an appointment," Thane replies smoothly.

Shows them something.

Don't care what.

Keep watching Ivy.

Keep her safe.

Guards exchange looks.

One looks at Ivy.

Looks hungry.

I should kill him right here, right now.

Should smash his head in.

Have to stay calm.

Have to stay focused.

The other guard steps forward.

Hand tightening on his gun.

"Back off," he growls.

My muscles coil.

Ready.

Waiting.

His partner moves too.

Both blocking the door.

Protecting their prey inside.

"I said we have an appointment," Thane repeats.

His voice carries steel now.

The first guard snarls.

Gets in Thane's face.

Stupid.

So stupid.

"Look, I don't know who the fuck you think you are?—"

Thane's eyes meet mine.

Just a tiny nod.

That's all I need.

I push Ivy’s mask down over her eyes.

She makes an angry startled sound.

Feel bad.

But don’t want her to see me like this.

Thane and I move as one.

Years of fighting together.

My hands find the second guard's head.

My brother grabs the first.

CRACK.

The sound of skulls hitting marble.

The crunch of breaking bones.

Clean.

Quick.

Quiet.

They deserved worse.

But they would've been loud.

Their bodies crumple.

No time wasted.

No sound made.

Just empty shells now.

Got to smash his head in after all.

Thane moves first.

Always the leader.

Grabs the door handle.

The others fall into formation.

Protecting Ivy.

Shielding her.

That's what matters.

My hands still tingle.

From the kill.

From the rush.

Focus.

Stay alert.

More killing to come.

Have to be ready.

Have to protect.

Have to destroy.

The door opens.

Purple light spills out.

Music drifts from inside.

Different from the club below.

Slower.

Darker.

More dangerous.

Here we fucking go.