Vanessa and I have come up with a plan. It''s a little crazy, and something we''ve been trying to avoid, but—there''s a chance it''s going to make things a lot easier for me.

We''re going to spend a week on the perimeter, chasing down areas of corruption. No more wasted time walking miles back home every day. Granted, we''ll be carrying a lot more stuff than normal, but I''ve already been banned from holding anything heavier than a whisper.

Is it crazy to admit that I''m a little excited?

Lucas frowns as he tugs my coat firmly closed. "I don''t like it."

"It doesn''t matter if we like it or not. We don''t have a choice." Wrapping my hands around his, I keep my voice soft. "We can''t risk our people getting caught up in this stuff."

His fingers work methodically to secure each button of my coat. "I just don''t see why you can''t come back every day."

"And waste hours and energy trudging back and forth through the snow?" My boots are comfortable, like walking on clouds, and I stamp my feet experimentally. They''re new; Lucas gave them to me last night. I''m a little worried about breaking them in, but he swears up and down I won''t get a single blister. "That''s not practical. We need to cover more ground, and camping out is the most efficient way. It''ll give me more rest between sites, too."

"I said no." His jaw tightens as he tugs my scarf higher.

"You didn''t, actually. You said you don''t like it. There''s a difference."

His golden eyes narrow, and I swear I can see him pondering whether or not to wrap my mouth with the scarf to keep me from arguing with him. Of course, he won''t keep me here. He''s already agreed to it. He''s just reserving his right to complain—at length. "Winter camping is brutal, Ava. The temperatures drop well below freezing at night."

"Good thing you''ve assembled an experienced team then." I catch his hands as they fuss with my collar for the third time. "I''m not the same girl you first met. I''m stronger now."

"Being stronger doesn''t make you immune to hypothermia."

"No, but it means I can handle myself better." I squeeze his fingers. "Marcus has years of experience with winter expeditions. Greg practically grew up in the snow. The entire team knows what they''re doing. And I have my magic to keep me warm. Fire''s easy."

"That''s not the point."

"Then what is? Because from where I''m standing, this is the most logical solution. We can''t risk leaving any of that tainted energy out there where it could affect more wolves."

Lucas''s shoulders tense. "The point is that my mate wants to camp in subzero temperatures while there are rogues and hunters in the area. Not long after collapsing, too."

"Your mate wants to protect our people." I step closer, letting his warmth seep into me. "And she has an entire team of highly trained wolves to keep her safe while she does it. Plus, Vanessa and Marcus are coming. They''ll make sure I don''t put my health into danger. And Grimoire''s keeping a closer eye on me, too."

"Still, they can miss something."

"It''s a team that includes two of your most trusted people, and arguably the best healer in your pack." I press my palm against his chest, feeling his heart thunder beneath my touch. "Plus Selene and Grimoire. I''ll have more protection than the average alpha."

His hands settle on my waist, grip firm through the layers of winter gear. "You''re not the average anything."

"No, I''m your Luna. Which means I have responsibilities to our pack." I rise on my toes to brush my lips against his jaw. "Let me do this. Let me help keep them safe."

"Did you think I meant we''d just carry less?" Vanessa''s laugh echoes across the snow. She seems excited, more energetic than normal.

She''s very happy, Selene agrees, dashing out of nowhere to approach the sled. Her delicate black nose goes wild as she sniffs it over.

"It''s perfect." The words come out breathless. No more fighting through waist-deep snow. No more exhausting myself before I even reach the contaminated areas.

Marcus steps forward, adjusting one of the harnesses. "These four are our best distance runners. They''ll have us covering twice the ground in half the time. They''re also great hunters. We''re bringing food, but they''ll be able to supplement what we have."

"And you''ll actually have energy left to purify the taint when we find it." Vanessa''s smile turns smug as she catches her alpha''s eye. "See? Told you I had it handled."

His arm tightens around my waist, but I can already tell he''s more relaxed than before. "You could have mentioned this part earlier."

"And miss the look on your face?" Vanessa snorts. "Not a chance. It''s not every day an Alpha gets to see his wolves hooked up like common huskies. No offense, Selene."

The husky in question just snorts and shakes her head, her ears swiveling back and forth.

Vester checks the supplies one last time, his movements precise and practiced. "You should head out soon. You''ll want to cover some ground before the temperature drops."

"Right." I turn in Lucas''s arms, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw. "Time to go."

His fingers flex against my hip. "Remember. Check in—"

"Morning and night." I pat his chest. "I know."

"And eat—"

"More than usual." Another kiss, this time to the corner of his mouth. "I know that too."

"And if anything feels wrong—"

"I''ll tell Vanessa immediately." I catch his face between my gloved hands. "I promise."

His forehead presses against mine, his breath warm against my lips. "Be safe."

"Always am."

A pointed cough from Vester breaks us apart. "If you two are quite finished..."

"Never." Lucas steals one more kiss before releasing me. "But you can have her anyway."

The wolves hooked to the sled stamp their paws impatiently, eager to run. Their excitement radiates through the air, infectious enough to chase away the last of my nerves.

"All aboard." Vanessa pats the sled. "Your chariot awaits, Luna."