Page 79 of Alpha Chained

I turn to look at her. “You can’t, Wills. I need you safe.”

“Then we can both be safe together! Come with me!” Her eyes are wild.

“I’ll be with you soon enough,” I say, praying as I say it that I’m telling the truth. “But there’s something I have to do.”

“Riley, I—”

“Please, Willow.” I squeeze her hand. “I can’t do this if I’m worrying about you. You have a little boy to think of. A mate.”

She exhales a deep breath, deflating a little as she does. “Fine. But if you don’t come back out, I’m coming in after you. And I’m gonna kick your ass!”

“Deal.” I manage a tight smile, then look over at Casey. “Take care of her.”

She gives a curt nod, indicating to one of the shifters nearby, who steps up beside Willow. “What have you got planned?” she asks.

“You’ll see,” I tell her, already striding away. A plan is formulating in my head. A plan that involves releasing every miserable creature that Parker has locked up here.

And then I’m going to burn this whole damn place to the ground.

Chapter 29

Raura

I’m on edge. They left me here half an hour ago, and I’m a mess of agitated energy.

“Where are you?” I whisper under my breath. I’d thought my head would explode when Jagger told me to wait here. There’s a cavalcade of cars converged in the parking bay, and I’m the only one left sitting in one. I feel so powerless.

At least my suspicions had been confirmed when we found the SUV parked haphazardly, the driver’s side door hanging open.

He came here. Just as I knew he would.

But when I told Jagger that I’d be able to help them find Riot within the Enclave, he wasn’t having it.

“You’ll get in the way, Raura.” His voice had brooked no argument, even though I’d wheedled and cajoled and then stamped my feet and raged.

Stay here. Stay here, stay here, stay here…

“I’m going to go nuts!” I blurt to no one in particular – largely because I’m alone. Everyone else is up there being useful while I wait here, feeling like an annoying accessory. Flinging the door open, I slide out of the car and tug my jacket closer around me. “I can’t just sit here!” I pace in frustration, throwing anxious glances toward the path they’d taken up the hill.

Jagger and a group of the others had shifted and gone up as wolves, while Casey, Edirn, and another large team went in armed with human weapons. The idea was to launch a two-pronged human-wolf attack to cover all bases.

They’d all exuded grim confidence as they left, but now, with every minute that goes by, I get more worried.

“Where are you?” I say for the hundredth time, except louder now. My voice sounds hollow in the empty space.

I can’t take this sitting around any longer. My heart is pounding with a sickening mix of fear and anticipation. Riot is in there somewhere, maybe hurt or worse.

I have to find him.

Throwing caution to the wind, I take off at a jog toward the path we used to escape previously. It’s overgrown and rocky, but at least it’s less exposed than the direct route to the entrance. My boots crunch on the loose stones and shale as I hurry uphill, trying to stay low.

It’s an arduous climb and one that would be better taken in my wolf form, but I clamber up on foot. Once I get to the facility, I’m going to be navigating doors, locks, and security systems – my wolf is strong, but my human form has the advantage of opposable thumbs.

As I crest the top and maneuver through a field dotted with fitness training equipment, I spot Casey emerging from the access point Riot and I had used before. She’s half-dragging a slender woman with dark hair and silvery eyes. My heart leaps into my throat. There’s no doubt in my mind who this is.

Willow! Riot’s sister!

Casey spots me, and her eyes go wide. “Raura! What the hell are you doing out here?”

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