You slip through the doorway into the Hale loft’s bare entryway, shoulders tense, mind racing. The scent of old wood and wolf musk hits you before the sight of her does.

Cora Hale stands in the center of the room—her leather jacket on, stance ready, amber eyes fierce beneath messy auburn waves. She’s the picture of a warrior primed for battle, and also… unnerving. Because tonight, you're putting everything on the line.

She doesn’t turn immediately. She just watches you from the corner of her eyes. “You’re late,” she says without warmth.

You swallow. “Traffic,” you mutter, though you don’t know why you bother. She gives that half‑smile you live for—rough around the edges, but it’s there.

“We don’t have time for traffic.” She steps forward. “Here's the plan—” She points to the floor where a crude map is spread. The layout of the abandoned warehouse where Derek is being held. “You hack the door locks. I’m going in through the back.”

Your heart pounds so hard it echoes in your ears. You're a computer nerd, a coward, and yet—something inside you stood against all odds and said yes. “Lock bypass and restart-it-after burn sequence, right?” You crouch and trace the schematic. “Should be straightforward.”

Cora tilts her head, impressed. “Just don’t blow us up.”

You look up at her—suddenly bold. “I won’t.” Her chest rises and falls as she exhales. The muscles in her jaw flex.

“Good.” She draws her silver dagger. “When this goes south—”

“It won’t,” you interrupt, gripping the edge of the table like a lifeline. Because she thinks you’re replaceable—but you’re not.

She studies you. The clock ticks. “But if it does, you run.”

Something tugs inside you. Not fear, but conviction. “No. We go together.”

She freezes, blade halfway to bag. Then drops her eyes. Warmth blooms—surprising. “You’re crazy,” she whispers.

“Maybe,” you whisper back.

A tense beat.

Then she nods. “Cora‑crazy,” she corrects, just before she steps forward and kisses the side of your neck. Fast. Fierce. Trust-bound.

Your pulse jumps. “Let’s go, geek.”

You give a cocky grin. “Geeks rescue wolves.”

She laughs—short, triumphant, and true.

“Clever. Okay. Let’s do this.”

Arm in arm, you step toward the loft’s back alley exit. Her blade glints; your laptop hums in your backpack. You both hold different forms of weapons—and both of you will draw on courage you never thought you had.

Because tonight, you're not just rescuing Derek. You're proving that a nerd and a wolf—together—can change fate.