Page 21 of Alpha Fate

I push to my feet, swaying. He grabs my arm to steady me.

“Good enough. Let’s go.”

We make our way to the door. My legs shake, but I stay upright, fueled by desperation.

At the threshold, he pauses again, peering out.

“All clear. Move!” he whispers. He strides down the hallway in the opposite direction from where the voices came from. There’s another set of stairs ahead that I hadn’t been able to see from my cell before. Scurrying to catch up, I follow him up the dim stairwell, anticipation and fear twisting my gut. We’re getting out.

But then what?

Chapter 8

Gage

I check my gear one last time, making sure I have extra ammo clips and my favorite knife strapped to my thigh. If I have to go in my human form, I’ll need extra protection.

The others are gathered around the central square, finalizing plans for the mission. Jagger stands on the platform, issuing orders with his usual brusque authority.

“Remember, timing is crucial,” he says. “We get in, grab the girl, and get out. No lingering.”

“Aw c’mon, Law,” Casey quips, adjusting her ponytail. “What if we want to have a little fun first?”

Jagger narrows his eyes. “This is strictly rescue and extraction. No detours.”

Casey shrugs. “Your loss.”

I pace along the edge of the group, adrenaline already pumping through my veins. Ever since I escaped that hellhole, I’ve been haunted by the memory of Savannah’s face, pale and haggard in the dim light of the cells. I left her there. I have to go back for her.

“You good, Heller?” Tarkin asks, falling into step beside me.

“Yeah,” I exhale the word. “Just want to get this done.”

He nods. “We all do. Don’t worry, we’ll get your girl out safe.”

“She’s not my girl,” I mutter. The words make my chest constrict. Because, of course, she’s not my girl. I don’t even know her. But I made her a promise, and I aim to keep it.

Barrett and Callum pass by, both looking tense. This won’t be easy. Rack’s wolves are vicious and feral, fight-hardened from years of scavenging, surviving. We’ll have to be flawless in our execution.

Jagger hops down from the platform and approaches me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Ready to do this, Heller?” His dark eyes bore into mine.

I meet his gaze steadily. “Absolutely. Let’s move out.”

With a curt nod, he turns and signals the team. As one, we fall into formation. My heart pounds with anticipation.

Soon, Savannah. I’m coming for you.

Just hold on a little longer.

As we head out, there’s the usual clatter of the huge metal gates that protect our home from intruders. We may not be running a full contingent, considering that many of our number are still nursing injuries, but the team is substantial. A formidable force.

But formidable enough?

Callum has a clear idea of the sort of numbers we’ll be facing. He had a “little talk,” as he called it, with some of the prisoners captured during the raid on Steel Lakes. Our pack outnumbers Leadmills by several hundred. But those numbers are deceptive because our population is made up of non-fighting forces – children, old-timers, females with pup. The Leadmills pack is entirely male. That shouldn’t surprise me as much as it did. Why else would they be stealing women like Savannah and Sierra?

As we move out, I bring up the rear, constantly glancing over my shoulder. The pre-dawn darkness presses in around us, masking enemies and hazards. But it also conceals us. We just need to stay alert.

I won’t let my guard down this time. I’m getting Savannah out of that place if it kills me.

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