Chapter 12: Let’s Buy a Boat
Vivian Grey’s POV
Four guards had suddenly appeared like they’d been there all along. The tall blond one stepped forward, grinning like he’d been waiting for this moment.
"I’m Johnson, resident fun guy. That redhead over there is Luke, the killjoy. The one with the scar? Courtney. Enough said. And the one glaring at me is Mila, who secretly wants to—"
Before he could finish, Mila stormed over and began smacking him repeatedly with both hands.
"What is wrong with you!" she yelled, leaping to reach his face, though her height made the effort hilariously ineffective.
Johnson just laughed and swatted her hands away gently. Luke sighed and stepped in, pulling the two apart with a tight-lipped apology.
"Sorry about that, Luna. Johnson’s a bit much," Luke said, his voice smooth and oddly calming.
Courtney just stood between them, stoic, unreadable.
"Uh," I glanced down at the black card in my hand. It was growing warm, like the money on it knew it didn’t belong to me and was burning with temptation.
The four of them waited patiently. They all looked older than me, experienced, steady. But there was something else too. Their presence didn’t make my wolf restless. If anything, she felt settled. Alert, but not tense. Like being around familiar scents in a place we hadn’t yet understood.
I snapped out of my thoughts, realizing how quiet I’d gotten.
"Sorry," I said sheepishly, clutching the card. "Still kind of disoriented. I literally woke up just a few hours ago, and now he’s gone and left me with his card like it’s a normal thing. I have no idea what’s happening."
Their amused looks made the heat rise to my cheeks.
"It’s okay, Luna," Courtney said brightly. "Alpha Lupus told us to take you shopping today to help you feel more at home. He said not to worry about money. Spend until you drop, basically."
I stared at the card again, lips curling into a dry smile.
"Oh, that jackass never tells me anything," I muttered without thinking.
Johnson immediately started coughing, grabbing his throat like he’d choked on air. The others stared at me like I’d just insulted the moon goddess herself. Even Luke blinked in disbelief.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"S-sorry," Mila stammered, eyes wide. "We’re just not used to hearing someone talk about the Alpha like that."
Johnson finally recovered, patting his chest dramatically. "Damn. I kinda wish he was here to hear that. Then again, I like our Luna with her head still on her shoulders."
I smirked. Strangely, I didn’t feel afraid. Maybe because I already called Zaliver a jackass to his face before. Or maybe because I was starting to realize something.
I wasn’t just in this world anymore.
I was part of it.
"Good. You’re trusting him now," my wolf murmured.
I rolled my eyes. It’s not trust, it’s knowing I can get away with calling a god a jackass.
"Um, would you like to go shopping now, Luna?" Courtney asked carefully, her tone polite but clearly on edge.
I looked down at the sleek black card in my hand, the one Zaliver had so graciously handed over. A slow, wicked grin spread across my face before I could stop it.
"Oh no," Johnson groaned behind me. "I know that look. My little sister makes that face right before she drains my account out of spite."
I glanced up at the guards posted in front of me. My smile only widened, creepy and unapologetic.
"I don’t usually like spending other people’s money," I said sweetly, "but who am I to turn down a gift?"
Mila leaned closer to Johnson and whispered, "Why do I get the feeling we’re not making it out of today alive?"
"Because we probably aren’t," he muttered with a sigh.
I laughed, the kind of laugh that came from deep in my chest. Zaliver had no idea what he’d just done.
He’d handed me power. And for the first time since I got here, I felt free.
"When Alpha said shopping, I really don’t think he meant this kind," Luke said for the hundredth time, his voice teetering between panic and resignation. "Please don’t buy a boat."
I waved him off, not even sparing him a glance. He groaned and started tugging on his hair, mumbling under his breath like he was already writing his eulogy.
Zaliver won’t actually kill them, I told myself. Probably.
The old man showing me the boat looked delighted. "This one’s the best in stock, little lady. You won’t find anything swifter than this beauty."
I stared at the vessel. It was compact, enough for two people, painted in a light shade of red with bold yellow letters on the side spelling Freedom. It was too on the nose to be a coincidence.
Maybe this was the universe giving me a sign.
After dragging the guards with me to the docks under the excuse of wanting a change of scenery, I’d been shocked to see that the island wasn’t some hidden jungle fortress. It had paved streets, neat houses, stores, and people walking around like we were in a sleepy town somewhere in the States. The only difference was the occasional wolf trotting through the crowd like it belonged.
When we arrived at the docks, I insisted on seeing the smallest boats. That’s when things got suspicious for my guards. Luke started getting jumpy. Courtney and Mila stuck to the edges, their eyes scanning constantly. Johnson had quietly disappeared the second we arrived, slipping away without a word.
Smart wolf.
"So how much?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. I had no idea how much money Zaliver had on his card, though six hundred years was a long time to build up a fortune.
The old man looked me over and grinned. "Fifteen thousand for a pretty smile like yours. How ’bout it?"
I had no idea if that was a deal or a ripoff. I also didn’t care.
"Deal," I said quickly.
Luke let out a strangled sound behind me and began pacing like a caged animal.
"Luna," he said, voice low and serious, "I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go through with this. I know what this is. Alpha needs to know—"
"No, it’s not, I promi—"
But before I could finish, both Luke and the old man blinked. Their eyes turned silver.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Vivian," they said in unison.
Comments