Chapter 245
2
$75
After what felt like an eternity, the guard stepped back and waved to his companion to raise the barrier. “Proceed directly to the main house,” he instructed. “They’re expecting a report.”
The SUV rolled forward, and I felt Rebecca’s relief mirroring my own. “First hurdle cleared,” I sent to her.
Rebecca’s POV
I remained perfectly still on the floor of the passenger seat, controlling my breathing as Dominic had taught me. My hands gripped the bottom of the steering wheel, ready to take control if our drugged driver faltered. The kevlar vest Dominic had insisted I wear was uncomfortably heavy and far too large, but its weight was strangely reassuring.
When we passed the checkpoint, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “First hurdle cleared, Dominic’s voice echoed in my mind through our bond.
Once we were inside the compound, I felt safer continuing with our plan. The SUV rolled to a stop in a side area near what appeared to be a service entrance. As soon as we stopped, Dominic leaned forward. “Wait for my signal,” he whispered to our driver. “Johnson, Rivera – be ready.”
“Now?” I asked through our bond, muscles tensed and ready to move.
“Not yet. Let’s get our bearings first.”
–
We were escorted from the vehicle by two guards who seemed to accept our driver’s explanation without question. The wolfsbane was working – they saw what they expected to see. I stayed low and out of sight until we were safely inside, then emerged to walk beside Dominic. Johnson and Rivera flanked us protectively as we moved through the halls.
We encountered two more guards inside, and I moved instinctively, using the techniques Emily had drilled into me during training sessions. A quick strike to pressure points, and the guards were unconscious before they could raise an alarm.
“You’ve been practicing,” Dominic commented quietly, his tone impressed.
I gave him a tight smile. “Emily’s a demanding teacher.”
We moved through dimly lit corridors, following Dominic’s lead. He had mentally mapped the building based on information from our captive. The control room would be downstairs, but our primary targets would likely be in the main office on the upper level.
As we climbed the stairs, I could feel the shift in Dominic’s posture – more alert, more predatory. Through our bond, I sensed he had detected another Alpha presence, though weaker than his own. Ronald Collins hadn’t achieved full Alpha status, but his bloodline gave him certain advantages.
We reached a heavy oak door, behind which I could hear voices – one male, one female, engaged in what sounded like a tense discussion.
Dominic and I exchanged a glance. His eyes asked a silent question, and I nodded, ready for whatever came next.
With a swift kick, Dominic broke the door open, and we entered their office.
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12:25 Tue, Sep 30
Chapter 245
The door splintered under Dominie’s kick, wood fragments scattering across the polished floor. The office was opulent – all mahogany furniture and leather upholstery, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the estate grounds. Caroline Collins sat behind an imposing desk, her perfectly coiffed blonde hair and tailored suit making her took more like a Fortune 500 CEO than the mate of a werewolf faction
leader.
Her eyes widened in shock as we entered, her composure momentarily shattered. “Sterling, how did you get in here?” she demanded, her voice high with surprise.
Ronald was standing near a bookshelf, a tablet computer in his hands. Unlike his wife, he barely reacted to our entrance, his attention seemingly fixed on whatever he was reading. The casualness of his posture sent a chill down my spine – it felt deliberately performed rather than genuine.
“Your security needs work,” Dominic replied coolly, moving further into the room with predatory grace. Johnson and Rivera positioned themselves on either side of the door, blocking the only exit.
Caroline’s shocked expression quickly morphed into something more controlled. “I had no intention of killing you,” she said, her voice steadier now. “This was merely a negotiation tactic.”
Dominic’s laugh was cold and humorless. “Attacking me with silver blades is your idea of negotiation? Creative. Elizabeth would be proud of her mother’s methods.”
