Page 95

"So, what's the grand plan?" Axl asks, still skeptical. "We just sit here with our thumbs up our asses while Evan does what exactly?"

"He said he'd give us a signal," Leo says. "Some kind of beeping."

I strain against my restraints again, feeling the metal dig into my skin. "How long have we been out?"

Leo glances at the observation window. "If I'm right, the dart kept us down for about fifty-five minutes."

"How the hell do you know that?" Axl asks.

"The tranquilizer they used would keep an average human down for about three hours," Leo explains. "I've been darted with something similar before during a raid. It only took me about an hour to shake it off."

Axl raises his eyebrows, looking almost impressed. "Huh. I can't believe I am learning something new even today."

"This isn't the time for a fucking chemistry lesson," I snap. "We need to get out of here and find Dahlia."

"Agreed," Leo says. "If we don't get Evan's signal in the next ten minutes, we assume he betrayed us, and we do this the hard way."

"And what's the hard way?" Axl asks.

Leo's smile is all teeth. "We break these chains and tear this place apart until we find her."

"Can we even break these?" Axl tugs at his restraints. "They feel pretty solid."

"They're strong and designed for shifters," I say. "Not for us."

"If we shift partially, we should have enough strength," Leo adds. "The trick is timing it right."

I close my eyes, reaching for my wolf. He's there, pacing just beneath my skin, and his rage makes him stronger than usual. "I'm ready whenever you are."

"If Evan has betrayed us..." Axl begins.

"Then I'll rip his throat out myself," Leo finishes.

We fall silent, waiting. The seconds tick by like hours. Sweat beads on my forehead as I fight to keep my wolf in check. He wants out. He wants blood. He wants to find our Omega.

Just as I'm about to suggest we stop waiting and break free, a high-pitched beeping fills the room. It's coming from somewhere in the ceiling, a rapid pulse that makes my ears twitch.

Leo's head snaps up. "That's it. That's the signal."

"Now!" I roar, no longer holding back my wolf.

The change ripples through me like fire. My muscles swell and shift, bones cracking as they thicken. My hands transform partially into claws, fur sprouting along my arms. Beside me, Leo and Axl undergo similar partial transformations.

I strain against the restraints with everything I have. The metal groans, then snaps, pieces flying across the room. Leo breaks free next, tearing through the cuffs like they're made of paper.

The moment we're all loose, the door slides open with a soft hiss. We exchange glances, wary of a trap.

"Is this part of the plan?" Axl asks, rubbing his wrists where the metal cut into his skin.

"Only one way to find out," Leo says, already moving toward the door.

We step into a sterile white corridor that branches in two directions. There's no sign of guards or personnel.

"Which way?" Axl asks, looking between the two identical hallways.

I close my eyes and inhale deeply, sorting through the antiseptic smells of the facility. "Left," I say with certainty. "I can smell Dahlia."

"You sure?" Leo asks, already moving.