Arlo stepped forward, a plan formulating in his mind. “This facility’s water system... I remember how it’s been set up from the building blueprints.” He traced an invisible map on his palm.“If I can access the main control, I can flood a section. That’ll get their attention.”
Max raised an eyebrow, “You’re planning on causing a mini-tsunami in here?”
Arlo grinned. “Think of it more as a... strategic distraction.”
Toby nodded. “The chaos will draw some guards away. We can use that to our advantage.”
Within mere moments, Arlo was at the control panel and the others stood guard as alarms began to blare. Water gushed from overhead sprinklers. Next, he moved to the visible water pipes and tore them away from the wall, causing them to break and water to gush out, quickly flooding the corridor with water that was ankle deep.
The nearby guards were unprepared for such an event, and scrambled to respond.
“That’s our window,” Carter said, his eyes set on the entry point. They moved in with the practiced synchronization of a well-trained team. Max and Logan, swift and silent, took down guards while Seb and Toby worked on releasing the imprisoned shifters from their confinements.
The scene inside was heartbreaking. Rows of cages, with shifters in varying degrees of pain and suffering. Their once vibrant eyes, now dull with despair, widened in shock and hope as they realized rescue was at hand.
As the cages opened, Ezra, ever the fearless one, was helping shifters, even carrying some on his back, guiding them to safety.
Carter’s eyes darted from face to face, seeking out the familiar features of his sister. The frenzied movement, the mix of elation and terror from the freed shifters, made it hard for himto focus.
“Have you seen my sister, Megan?” Carter asked a weak-looking shifter, who just shook his head in response.
Desperation welled up inside him. Where was she?
Max, noticing Carter’s growing anxiety, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We’ll find her, Carter. We won’t leave without her.”
Carter moved with determination, his senses attuned to each face he passed. His inner mountain lion was restless, pacing within him, mirroring his own growing anxiety.
Suddenly, a rush of emotion—a pang of distress that wasn’t his own—caused him to stop dead in his tracks. The sensation seemed familiar, even though he was sure he had never felt it before—it was Emily. He couldfeelher fear, her unease, the way only true mates could. The bond between them was singing a frantic tune, guiding him towards her.
She’s here,his inner mountain lion growled, the voice echoing in his head.She’s in danger!
Carter tried to soothe his inner animal, but it would not quieten. Guided by this inexplicable connection, Carter veered away from the main group, his instincts leading him up and up, to the top floor of the facility.
He came to an imposing door, slightly ajar, revealing the chilling scene unfolding within. Emily, her face pale, was seated on one side of a large wooden desk, her hands bound. A tall, dark-skinned man in a crisply tailored suit stood over her, his cold eyes staring down at her with an air of triumph. But what sent Carter’s heart plummeting was the gun the man had pressed against Emily’s temple.
His inner lion roared in fury, demanding to be let loose, to destroy anyone who would dare to threaten their mate. But Carter knew he had to be strategic. Recklessness could cost them everything.
“Let her go,” Carter growled, his voice thick with suppressed rage, his eyes fixed on the man holding Emily hostage.
Protect mate,his inner lion snarled.
Always,Carter agreed.
The cold steel of the gun pressed harder into Emily’s temple, forcing a soft cry from her lips. The boss, his expression twisted into one of cruel amusement, stared into Carter’s eyes, his sneer deepening.
“Well, well,” he drawled, delight evident in his tone. “Looks like your grand rescue operation is about to end in tragedy.”
Carter’s chest tightened, his gaze never leaving Emily’s. “Emily,” he whispered, a question in his voice.
Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she gave a small, brave nod. “I’m okay, Carter,” she replied, voice shaky but resolute.
A low growl, almost inaudible, escaped from Carter’s throat. The urge to attack, to pounce, was almost overpowering.
Release. Protect,the mountain lion within him raged, clawing at his consciousness, demanding to be set free to defend their mate.
The boss’s laughter, cold and unhinged, broke Carter’s internal struggle. The insanity in the man’s eyes was evident—his empire was crumbling around him, his guards overpowered, his plans had been thwarted. Now, he seemed like a man with nothing left to lose.
Max’s voice broke through the heavy tension. “Let her go. You’re outnumbered, and this facility is compromised. It’s over.”
