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We rush through the door into what looks like a laboratory. Glass cabinets line the walls, filled with vials of amber liquid. In the center of the room sits an examination table with restraints.

"They were going to keep her here," I growl, rage building in my chest.

"Save it," Leo says, barricading the door with a heavy cabinet. "We need to find another way out."

Axl is already at the far door, peering through the small window. "Clear on this side. Let's go."

We move quickly through a series of interconnected labs, each more disturbing than the last. One contains cages large enough for humans. Another has walls lined with medical equipment that looks more like torture devices.

"What the fuck were they doing here?" Axl mutters as we pass through a room filled with screens displaying genetic sequences.

"Creating monsters," Leo answers grimly.

We encounter more resistance as we push deeper into the facility. Guards appear in groups of two or three, but they're no match for three enraged Alphas. We leave a trail of unconscious bodies behind us, not killing unless necessary. These men are just following orders. Hammond is the real target.

After what feels like hours but is probably only minutes, we arrive at a larger room that appears to be the central hub. Multiple corridors branch off from it, and screens on the walls display different areas of the facility.

"Look," Leo points to one of the screens showing a loading dock. "That must be the way out."

Before we can move toward it, the main doors burst open. A dozen men in black flood in. But these aren't Hammond's security; their uniforms bear a different insignia, something I don't recognize.

"Down on the ground!" one of them shouts. "Hands where we can see them!"

"Fuck that," I snarl, ready to fight.

"Stand down,"

The men part, and Evan Blackthorn walks through, immaculate in his tailored suit. Only a small cut on his cheek shows he's been in any kind of struggle.

"Took you long enough to show your face," Leo says.

Evan's expression remains neutral. "Did you really think I would betray Dahlia like that?"

"Yes," Axl answers without hesitation. "We absolutely did."

Evan scowls, genuine hurt flashing across his face before his mask slips back into place. "I needed Hammond to trust me completely. It was the only way to get inside his operation."

"So, who are these guys?" Leo asks, nodding toward the team still aiming weapons at us.

"Government Special Security Division," Evan explains. "I've been working with them for weeks to bring him down."

"And you couldn't have told us this before drugging us and handing us over to a psychopath?" Axl demands.

"Hammond has spies everywhere. I couldn't risk it." Evan turns to the team leader. "Secure the facility. I want every piece of evidence cataloged and every person in this lab rounded up for questioning."

The man nods and begins issuing orders to his team. They spread out, moving with practiced efficiency.

"Hammond escaped," Evan says, turning back to us. "He slipped away during the initial breach. We need to find him before he disappears completely."

"Where's Dahlia?" I demand, growing impatient with this conversation.

Evan's expression darkens. "She was in a medical room when I last saw her. Hammond was preparing to move her to a specialized containment area."

I don't wait to hear more. I close my eyes and inhale deeply, sorting through the scents of blood, sweat, fear, chemicals, until I catch it. Dahlia. Her scent is stronger now, tinged with something that makes my wolf howl in rage.

"I've got her," I say, already moving. "I'll follow her scent."

"Onyx, wait!" Evan calls after me. "We should go together!"