Lily sucked in a sharp gasp, and her nails bit into Theo's shoulder. "What is it? Is he going to help us?"
"Ryel and the council discussed your request at length, and they decided that we will offer you our support. A small group of battle-ready wolves will come with you to the Underland to protect you and Theo and fight against the rebels."
Lily let out a sigh of relief, and Theo's shoulders visibly relaxed as well.
"Thank you," Theo said earnestly. "I promise you won't regret this decision."
"I hope not," Daniel replied with narrowed eyes. "For all our sakes."
Chapter 10 - Theo
With ten wolves at their backs, Theo and Lily returned to Underland days later to confer with the goblins that he'd verified as trustworthy. To his surprise and delight, Snarl was one of those who remained trustworthy amongst his cadre of advisors. Because of the friendship between Snarl and Kaleus, Theo had worried that his cousins had managed to turn Snarl against him.
But that hadn't been the case at all. Snarl was just as enraged and hurt by Kaleus' betrayal, which had all but been proven in the week since the attack after the wedding, when Kaleus hadn't shown his face at all in any respectable goblin circles.
He'd played his hand when he attempted to have Lily captured and Theo assassinated, and he'd since retreated to the shadows. That had frustrated Theo at first, but now, with Snarl's intelligence and the help of the wolves, they'd been able to work together over the course of several days to finally track the rebels to one location.
And now, it was time for them to hunt.
Theo was with the other wolf shifters and a squadron of goblin fighters in the barracks below the palace, going over the final details of the plan of attack with Ryel, when a gentle hand brushed against his shoulder.
"Lily," he breathed. "What are you doing here? We'll be leaving any minute." A sly smile came to his lips then, and he placed one hand on her hip, pulling her flat against him. "Come for a goodbye kiss?"
Their mouths met, and warmth cascaded through Theo's entire being, body and soul alike, as her lips moved eagerly against his. She sighed happily, and then pulled away, much to his disappointment. Not that they could do much more together right now, however, so it was for the best that she didn't tempt him too badly.
Fire blazed in Lily's eyes, and he knew what she was going to say before the words came from her mouth. "I want to come with you."
"Absolutely not," Theo and Daniel said at the same time. Theo glanced at his shoulder at Daniel, who he hadn't known was there. He was dressed in a sleek black bodysuit to aid mobility in human form, and to allow him to easily shift into a wolf if it came to that. Just like all the other shifters here.
"It's too dangerous," Theo continued. "You know what Kaleus wants to do to you; the best way to ensure that won't happen is by staying as far away from the conflict as possible."
"I can take care of myself," Lily insisted. "I'm not some delicate flower that needs to be protected."
Theo shook his head. "You're not coming with us."
"And why the hell not? Give me one good reason that doesn't reduce me to some whiney damsel in distress," she demanded, planting her hands on her hips. "Besides, you'll need all the help you can get. With me there, we'll have a better chance of winning."
"I won't risk your safety for anything," Theo replied. It was the truth, after all. He'd rather face Kaleus himself than put Lily in harm's way again. There was no way he was going to let her come with them into what could very well be a death trap. "And I don't care if you think that's a good enough reason or not."
Lily glared at him. A gentle breeze had the strands of her fiery red hair swaying around her face, making them appear like rippling flames. She was a sight to behold, and a lesser man might have been willing to give in to her demands. Might have been cowed by the stares of a dozen other shifters and goblins who'd stopped what they were doing to watch.
Before he could say anything else, Ryel stepped in. "Actually, Lily might be right." Theo turned to him in surprise. He'd never thought the alpha of her back to contradict him. "If she comes with us, but stays with the support squadron, she'll be away from the main conflict and out of Kaleus' reach."
Theo considered it for a moment. It had occurred to him that Kaleus would try to take Lily to get to Theo, and that it could be playing into his cousin's hands to dedicate so many resources to attacking what they hoped was the rebels' base of operations. Then he would strike the palace, stealing Lily from under his nose. That was why Theo had planned for extra guards around Lily until they were finished with their assault.
But Kaleus would never expect him to bring Lily with them on the attack, even if she was there to support the main attack squad, not to participate in the fight itself. As much as he wanted to keep Lily safe and far away from harm's way, he knew she was just as capable as anyone else here, and it might be safer to use that to their advantage and keep a closer eye on her.
Finally, Theo nodded his agreement. If that was what it would take to keep Lily safe, then he would do it. "You can come, butonlyif you stay with the designated support squadron. Don't make me call off the attack because you can't follow instructions."
A broad smile broke out across her face. "Thank you. Don't worry, I'll do as I'm told."
He squeezed her arm, and a look passed between them. Soft, sensual, like they were growing into the team he'd always dreamed of them becoming.
It was gone in an instant, so fast he wondered if he'd imagined it.
But he had no time to dwell.
It was time to march into battle.