Page 52 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

“Who else is in the building?” I ask quietly as we turn a corner.

“Um…on this level…just uh…” he whispers.

“Talk fast.”

“Just security, lab personnel, and…” he hesitates.

“And?” I press the knife harder.

“Heath. Alpha Heath is still here.”

My jaw tightens. Veyra Heath. Widow. Architect of so much suffering—my pack’s, Hailey, countless others. She’s here, in this building. Within my reach.

For a moment, I’m tempted to change course. To hunt her down and finish what I started when I infiltrated her facility. But Hailey comes first. Always.

Heath will have to wait. But her day will come. I’ll make sure of it.

We reach the east wing without incident. The private elevator stands at the end of a short corridor, its doors sleek and unmarked. A keycard scanner glows red beside it.

“I don’t have access,” the beta says quickly, reading my intention.

I pat him down, finding his ID badge clipped to his belt. “But you have this.”

His face falls. “It won’t work. I don’t have clearance.”

I consider our options. We could try to find stairs, but that would take too long and increase our chances of being spotted. We need that elevator.

Just then, the indicator above the elevator lights up. Someone’s coming up.

I drag the beta into an alcove, pressing the gun to his temple. “Not a word,” I breathe into his ear.

The elevator dings softly, and the doors slide open. Two security guards step out, engaged in conversation.

“—said he’s taking her to the mountain house tonight.”

“In her condition? That’s a three-hour drive.”

“Yeah, well, Widow says the heat will last at least a week with what they gave her. Fuck. Did you catch her scent? Made me so hard I could have knotted my fist. Caldwell’s a lucky fucker to?—”

They notice us too late. I’m already moving, the gun a blur as I bring it down on the first guard’s temple. He crumples without a sound. The second reaches for his weapon, but I’m faster, driving my knee into his solar plexus despite the pain that shoots up my leg. As he doubles over, I strike the back of his neck with the butt of the gun. He joins his colleague on the floor.

I should kill them, but I need the bullets for bigger prey.

The beta stands frozen, eyes wide with terror.

“The mountain house,” I growl, grabbing him by the collar again. “Where is it?”

He shakes his head frantically. “I don’t know! I swear! Caldwell owns property all over.”

I drag him into the elevator, kicking the unconscious guards clear of the doors. The beta fumbles with his keycard, swiping it over the sensor. Nothing happens.

“It won’t work,” he says, voice trembling. “I told you?—”

I grab one of the guards, pressing his limp hand against the scanner. The light turns green, and the elevator hums to life.

“Garage,” I order, and the beta presses the button with shaking fingers.

The descent feels interminable. Each second that passes is another second Caldwell has with Hailey. Another second he’s putting distance between us.

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