Page 23 of Rescued by Four Alphas (Claimed by the Four Alphas #2)

" T hese tunnels were designed to survive nuclear fallout, not four pissed-off Alphas.

" Rivera spreads the blueprint across the hood of his Jeep and traces the air ventilation system with his finger.

His weathered face looks ghostly in the blue glow of our flashlights.

"Getting in won't be your problem. Getting out alive with your mate will be. "

I lean closer, committing every inch of the schematic to memory.

The stolen facility blueprints show five underground levels, with the lowest two marked as "medical research.

" That's where they're keeping Dahlia, where that bastard Reid is holding my pregnant mate against her will.

The thought makes my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin.

"The main shaft here," I tap the entrance point on the blueprint, "how wide is it?"

"Thirty-six inches across," Rivera replies. "It's tight, but manageable for someone your size. The secondary shafts narrow to twenty inches, and that's too small for most humans, but not for a shifted wolf if necessary."

Leo steps up beside me, his expression grimmer than I've ever seen it. "And the security systems?"

"Just like we've established, there are motion sensors, infrared cameras, and pressure plates near all junctions.

" Rivera's lieutenant, a wiry man named Vega, points to minor X marks on the blueprint.

"But they're designed to keep people out, not in.

If we create enough chaos at the front, they'll divert resources away from internal security. "

We're gathered at an abandoned hunting cabin fifteen miles from Reid's facility, deep in the Montana wilderness, where the chances of surveillance are minimal.

Rivera brought eight men, all former special forces turned mercenaries, plus enough firepower to start a small war.

It should feel like overkill, but it doesn't.

"What about RF interference for the locks?" Evan asks. "And their biometric systems?"

"It's already handled." Vega holds up a small device. "This replicates any badge signal we encounter. And for the biometrics..." He hands Evan what looks like a silicone-tipped wand. "Press this against any scanner and it'll bypass the system."

I turn to Rivera. "So, what's your team's clear on the diversion plan?"

Rivera nods sharply. "We'll hit the transformer station first to create a blackout. The facility will switch to emergency generators. Thirty seconds later, we breach the main gate with explosives, and the guard's response will pull at least seventy percent of the security to the front entrance."

"That's our window," Leo says, tracing our planned route through the ventilation system. "Onyx and I will enter through this maintenance tunnel while Axl and Evan approach from the east ridge."

"The timing has to be perfect," I stress, looking at each man gathered around the Jeep. "Once we're inside, we have twenty minutes max to locate Dahlia, secure her, and get to the extraction point before their backup security protocols activate."

Axl, uncharacteristically serious, studies the monitor showing the facility's elevation profile. "What about these hatches here?" He points to several small squares marked along the eastern perimeter.

"Those are emergency evacuation points," Vega explains. "Sealed from the inside, unless there's a catastrophic event. We could try to breach them, but it would trigger alarms."

"No," Evan shakes his head. "We stick to the ventilation system. It's the only access point with minimal security coverage."

Rivera leans back, crossing his arms. "And once you have your Omega, what's your exit strategy?"

"The maintenance elevator shaft here," Leo indicates a narrow vertical passage. "It connects all levels directly to the surface. We can bypass the elevator itself and climb up the service ladder."

"And if she can't climb?" Rivera raises an eyebrow. "She's heavily pregnant, possibly sedated, or maybe even injured."

The thought of Dahlia’s hurt makes my vision blur with rage. I take a deep breath before answering. "That's why we bring this." I unstrap a harness from my pack. "It's a climbing rig modified to support her weight plus the babies. One of us carries her while the others provide cover."

"Remember," I tell the team during a brief break, "these aren't just security guards. They're government-sanctioned soldiers protecting classified research. They won't hesitate to use lethal force."

"Neither will we," Axl says darkly, checking the magazine on his sidearm for the third time.

"The priority is Dahlia," Evan reminds everyone. "Everything else is secondary. If something goes wrong, if someone gets hit, we don't stop. We don't go back. We get her out first."

No one argues. We all understand the stakes.

As night falls, Rivera's scout returns with updated intel on the facility's patrol patterns. We gather around the small display showing heat signatures moving along the perimeter fence.

"They've increased security in the past twelve hours," the scout reports. "And added two sniper positions here and here." He points to elevated platforms near the main gate. "And there's unusual activity at the loading dock. There are vehicles coming and going."

"What kind of vehicles?" Leo asks, suddenly alert.

"Medical transport. Like ambulances, but they're unmarked."

Evan and I exchange grim looks. This could only mean one thing.

"We need to be ready to move at first light," I say, checking my watch. "That gives us eight hours to finalize preparations."

Rivera nods to his lieutenant, who starts distributing specialized equipment to each team member. Night vision goggles, comms with encrypted channels, and breaching tools designed to work silently.

"Your mate," Rivera says quietly when the others are occupied. "She means a lot to these men, yes? Not just to you."

I look over at my pack.

"She's carrying our children," I tell Rivera simply. "All of ours."

Understanding dawns in Rivera's eyes. "Ah. A true Omega bond. I've heard of such things but never seen them."

"She's everything to us," I say, the words feel inadequate for what Dahlia truly means. "And Reid is going to die for touching her."

Rivera grins. "I can't wait."

As the others conduct final equipment checks, I step outside the cabin, needing a moment alone. Montana at night is cold and clear, and the stars are blazing overhead with no city lights to dim them. Somewhere out there, Dahlia is alone and afraid.

I close my eyes, reaching for our bond. The connection feels stretched thin, almost transparent, but it's still there. I can't sense her emotions or thoughts; the distance is too great, but I can feel that she's alive. That must be enough for now.

"Onyx." Leo's voice breaks into my thoughts. He stands in the cabin doorway, outlined by the low light behind him. "Rivera wants to go over the ammunition distribution."

I nod and follow him inside. The cabin has transformed into a makeshift armory, with weapons covering every surface. Rivera's men check and recheck their equipment.

"These are for the inner security teams," Rivera explains, opening a case of specialized ammunition. "It contains subsonic rounds, minimal penetration, but maximum stopping power. We don't want stray bullets going through walls in a medical facility."

"And these," Vega adds, unlocking another case, "are for emergencies only." Inside lie what look like small silver grenades. "They are flashbang concussions with an EMP pulse. They'll temporarily disable any electronic systems in a fifteen-foot radius."

Leo takes one, scrutinizing it. "Range?"

"Ten seconds from pin pull. Throw, count to three, then cover your eyes and ears."

By midnight, we've finalized everything except for one crucial element.

"We still have not decided on the extraction point," Evan says, bringing up a topographical map on his tablet. "The helicopter needs a clearing at least thirty feet in diameter, with minimal tree coverage for approach."

Rivera studies the map, then points to a spot approximately two miles east of the facility. "This place has a natural clearing, high enough elevation for a clean departure path, and it's low enough to remain below radar coverage."

"How long will it take to get to the facility on foot?" Axl asks.

"Forty minutes through dense forest," Rivera calculates. "Slower if your Omega is injured or unable to walk."

"We'll carry her, if necessary," I say firmly. "We'll do whatever it takes."

By 11 p.m., even Rivera seems satisfied with our level of preparation.

"Get some rest," he advises. "The first team moves out at 0400 hours. We'll have full darkness and maximum advantage."

Though exhaustion pulls at my muscles, sleep feels impossible. I lie on the narrow cot, staring at the ceiling. When I finally drift into a restless sleep, my dreams are filled with her voice calling my name.

I wake just before midnight with barely an hour of sleep. Some of the men are sleeping, and the others are already moving about the cabin, gathering their gear.

Rivera's communications specialist enters from outside. "Sir, we've intercepted facility radio traffic. It's encrypted, but we managed to isolate some transmissions from their medical team."

"What did you hear?" Evan demands, crossing the room in three quick strides.

The specialist hesitates, his eyes flickering face to face. "They're talking about a 'primary subject' entering early labor phases. Something about 'accelerated extraction protocols' being initiated."

The room goes silent. The mug I'm holding shatters in my grip, and the hot coffee splashes across my hand. I don't feel it.

"When?" I ask, my voice barely recognizable even to my ears.

"The transmission came through twenty minutes ago." He swallows hard. "So, right about now."

Fuck! Fuck!!