Valencia dried her hair after shrugging on a gray baggy, cropped tank top.

Malakai watched her closely from her bed. He had gotten dressed earlier and he watched her jump to get into her leggings.

"Are you sure you said Doc wasn't busy?" Val asked distractedly as she checked her phone.

Malakai hummed and looked away, "Yeah sure."

His mate looked at him with narrowed eyes, "You called him, yes?"

"Mhm totally."

"Kai!" she huffed and he sighed loudly. He tugged her hand and she whined as she laid her dead weight against him.

They crashed back onto the mattress and Valencia pouted at the Hound. "I guess we're already going, might as well join the party."

~

"Doesn't matter if he's busy, whatever he's doing we're more important," Kai grumbled. Valencia had just pulled up to one of Doc's many offices.

Valencia mocked him quietly and he smacked her thigh to which she sent a sharp glare. They were together but no one said they had to get along.

Val pushed the old door open slowly and glanced around, seeing multiple groups of people hanging around. Kai growled lowly and tugged Valencia closer by her pants.

Her brown eyes caught his deep red ones as she threaded her fingers with his.

When his other hand gripped hers she immediately pulled away, thinking he didn't want her touching him.

"No- No, I just... I overheat. Hold my arm instead... please," he spoke quietly and awkwardly. It drew a smile onto his Nymphs face as she didn't hesitate to grip his bicep.

Kai shoved Docs door open and they watched him jerk in his seat.

"You are both annoying!" He screeched and they heard the sound of a zipper zipping. A petite man crawled out from under the desk and Val covered her mouth in shock.

Kai coughed to cover up his laugh. "Sorry man," Val slapped the guys back in good sport and he spluttered as he stumbled out.

"We need your full attention my friend." The dark haired woman let go over the Hound to sit on Docs desk.

"Neither of you deserve my full attention you heathens," he scoffed.

Suddenly Doc perked up, "Marked heathens- well I'll be. Hot damn!"

"Did you call me a heathen?-"

"You let him mark you!"

"Yes-"

"You let him mark you and you came here after? You should be fucking."

Valencia pouted as Kai's eyes widened with embarrassment. "Well we have very valuable information that's more important."

Kai huffed in mild disagreement. He came and sat down in front of the desk, placing a hand on Valencia's back.

"What's this oh so important information then?"

Malakai growled softly before bringing him up to speed in what was going on.

Doc hummed as his demeanor turned serious. "This woman's names been on the streets for a good amount of time, I never once thought she'd contact let alone join with someone like Victor."

"What's she like?"

"A floater, doing what she wants. Getting into trouble and disappearing."

"So what the hell is she doing with him?"

Kai butt in, "She said she wanted Valencia," the Hound looked sick at the thought.

Doc's face turned stoney. "She said what?" He snarled.

Kai's narrowed eyes met the Warlocks and he drew Valencia into his lap. "Said she'd take her as a prize when this is over."

"Maybe that's the angle Victor is working this. Pierce will get any warm body as collateral," Doc ran his hands over his face worriedly.

Valencia narrowed her eyes as she looked back and forth between the men as they spoke.

"Well why Valencia?"

"I'll put a ward up around the shop, Vally will probably have to close down for a little."

Val's eyes widened and she whipped her head to Kai who she sat on. He gnawed on his lip before looking at the red head.

"Would she be safer if I leave?"

"Hey!" Valencia squirmed on top of her mate. He grappled with her to stay still, gripping her hips but she pushed at him harshly.

"Valen-"

She didn't hesitate to smack her palm against his cheek. He stopped as the sound resounded through the room.

"Stop that," she pointed at him while seething.

"You're not making decisions for me and neither are you!" She pointed to Doc.

"Put the damn ward around the shop, I'll close down the shop for a few days. I can pay the guys for the time I guess... Let's just work this out. No one is leaving," Val gave Kai a pointed look.

He huffed and moved her to sit sideways on him.

"If it means you'd be safe then I'm leaving."

"You always want to leave," Valencia whispered.

"You know it's not like that this time, sweetheart."

Her brown eyes met his red ones and his heart clenched as the doubt was written all over her face.

"If it's you or me, I'm leaving. I'm not risking you because of my own shit. It's last option, alright?" He ran his thumb over her cheek.

She turned her head away stubbornly but didn't move from his lap.

"I'll get started on the ward," Doc closed one of his books loudly before standing.

He exited with a tense form and Valencia tilted her head in concern. Malakai gripped the girls cheeks and tugged her to rest her forehead against his own.

"You have to learn how to be a team player," she spoke softly.

He smirked and kissed her chin. "If it means your safe then I'll continue on."

"We'll be okay," she rest her head against the crook of his neck.

~~
I've got some things plannnned ooooooo so exciting

this is going to be shorter than Long Live, so looking forward to continuing on!