Seb shot a glance at Clara. “Oh, I think I have an idea of how that would feel.” Now that he’d met Clara, Seb couldn’t image being separated from her for any length of time. With the job that he had, it was inevitable that they’d be separated at some point in the future, but he was sure he would hate every minute of it, just like Carter did. But right now, she was by his side, and safe, and Ortega was never going to be her problem again.
“We did it,” he exclaimed, feeling a surge of pride and satisfaction.
The team’s celebratory mood was infectious, and even Clara, who had been carrying the burden of her father’s safety, allowed herself a moment of respite, her eyes shining with triumph.
Clara’s phone rang, cutting through the celebratory atmosphere. Seb’s stomach lurched as he took in the look on her face as she glanced at the screen.
“Ortega,” she mouthed, her voice barely audible as she picked up the call. “Hello?”
Seb leaned in, listening to Ortega talk on the other end of the line. There was a chilling calm in his tone.
“Hello Miss Young, how are you today?”
“I’m great, actually. We intercepted your men and we’ve got your documents,” she told him happily. “It looks as if we finally have enough to arrest you.”
“Let’s not be rash,” Ortega said calmly.
Too calm,Seb thought glumly, and his bear echoed his sentiment.
“I have a proposition for you, Miss Young. I have your father and I really don’t want to hurt him, but I will, naturally, if I have to. Why don’t we make a trade? My documents and my men, for his life.”
The smile slid from Clara’s face and the triumph in the van evaporated instantly, replaced by a cold, sinking dread. Seb’s stomach churned as he processed Ortega’s words. They had underestimated the man. They had thought themselves to be in the driving seat, but he had been one step ahead of them all along.
“Where do you want to make the trade?” Clara asked.
“Be at my house at nine sharp. Don’t be late.”
Clara ended the call, her hand trembling slightly. She turned to Seb, her eyes filled with fear and unshed tears.
“He has my dad,” she said, her voice cracking.
Seb nodded, reaching out to take her hand. The sense of victory had vanished, replaced by a new somber mood. They had the evidence to take down Ortega, but now Clara’s father’s life hung in the balance. He checked his watch. They had three hours before Ortega wanted to make the trade.
“We’ll get him back,” Seb said, his voice firm despite the uncertainty he felt. “We’re not going to let Ortega win. He won’t hurt your father—these documents are too important to him. As long as we have them, we have the upper hand.”
“Why do you think he wanted to wait to make the trade?” Clara asked.
Seb frowned. “He’s probably giving himself time to ensure all his guards are in place. He might even call in reinforcements. We have to be prepared to face anything.”
The team rallied, Carter already on a call to their friends in the other van, informing them of what was happening. Seb had taken part in several other rescue missions in the past, but this one was personal. This one involved his mate and her family so the stakes were raised. It was vital that they tread carefully. They were playing a game of life and death, and every decision they made from here on out could have dire consequences.
Chapter Eight
Clara
The room wasa hive of frenzied activity as Clara, Seb, and their team hastily convened for an emergency planning session. Maps and blueprints were strewn across the table, and the air was thick with tension following Ortega’s ominous call. Clara stood at the center, her mind racing yet laser-focused on the task at hand. She could feel the weight of every eye in the room on her, but it was Seb’s gaze that anchored her. His presence was a steadying force amid the chaos.
“We’ll get your dad back, Clara,” he assured her, his voice firm and reassuring. “We’re all in this together.” He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and Clara drew strength from his touch.
Around them, the team was a whirlwind of motion and discussion. Logan and Carter were poring over the layout of Ortega’s mansion, identifying potential entry points and security weaknesses. Max and Ezra were coordinating logistics, arranging for equipment and transportation. Arlo and Toby were on their laptops, gathering intel and monitoring communications.
Clara took a deep breath, the smell of coffee and adrenaline mingling in the air. She surveyed the room, and saw that the team’s faces were filled with determination. She had faith in them.
A strong pack, her wolf agreed.
“We need everyone on this rescue mission. It’s not just about getting my dad out—it’s about taking down Ortega,” she said, her voice resonating with a commanding, though she couldn’t quite hide the underlying anxiety.
Seb stepped forward. “Clara's right. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation. We can’t leave any room for error, and we need all our resources focused on this rescue.”
