"What is going on?" I demand.

"We have to go," Colt repeats, hauling me to my feet. He grips my arm, his face a stoic mask that reveals nothing.

Dash and the other pack member grab our bags, and we head toward the elevators. I tug at Colt’s hand. "Colt, you have to tell me what’s happening."

He doesn't answer. He glances over his shoulder at the men trailing us and quickens his pace. When we reach the elevator, Dash and the pack member step inside, but Colt hits the 'close' button and holds the doors, stepping back out with me.

"Leave," he commands Dash. "They saw me. If we don't make it back, tell my father not to do anything rash. I’ll find my way."

Dash nods, his expression etched with worry as the doors slide shut.

"Colt!" I hiss with urgency.

"No time, Cass. Come on. I’ll explain on the way."

He leads me to the side of the elevator bank, toward a door marked for the stairs. As he pulls me into the stairwell, I shout, "Colt! Who are they?!"

"Men from the Dark Fang pack," he finally responds.

"Why are they here?"

"I don't know. But they own property in this city, just like us. I can only assume that’s why."

"But we have plenty of our own pack members here," I argue. "Why are you so terrified?"

"Because if Victor is here, that means Warrick is somewhere in the city, too."

As he says this—even though we’ve descended several floors—we hear the door we just exited creak open above us. Colt presses a finger to his lips, signaling silence. He scoops me up and begins sprinting down the concrete steps, moving with lethal, silent precision.

"I swear I saw him. I think they went this way," a man’s voice echoes from above.

"You sure it was him?" another asks.

"I think so."

Colt reaches the ground floor, forces open the final door, and rushes through. We’re in the parking garage. He sets me down but keeps a death grip on my hand.

"What now?" I whisper.

A car tears through the garage, moving far faster than it should. We dive behind a parked vehicle, Colt pressing me down into a crouch.

"Cass, listen," he rasps. "If we get caught, call me Alexis. If Warrick ever finds out that I’m my father’s son—the next in line to lead the Blood River Pack—he’ll kill me."

"O...okay..." I stutter. Fear chokes me; he looks genuinely desperate. He begins moving between the cars, dragging me along.

Alexis?

They don't know who he really is?

"Skye never told Warrick who you are?" I ask.

"No. He would have killed her, too—not just for being part of our pack, but because she was my mate and knew the truth."

We continue spiraling down the garage levels. Colt suddenly stops, sniffing the air, then freezes. "Damn it! More of them ahead."

I look back to retreat, but I see the men from the Dark Fang pack spilling out of the stairwell door. "They're here," I whisper.

"Shit. They’re going to catch my scent." He stops, kneeling, and turns to me. He places his hands on my shoulders, his eyes searching mine. "Cass... you have to play along. There’s no way out of this."

"Play along?"

He closes his eyes. "Fuck, I should have told you everything."

"Is it bad?" I ask, my heart hammering. "What you have to tell me—is it bad?"

He looks at me with an intensity that steals my breath. He pulls me in for a kiss—one filled with a terrifying blend of passion and desperation. When he pulls back, he keeps his hand on my chin, locking eyes with me. "All you need to remember is that I care about you. Okay? Everything I do from this point on is for you... even if I seem like the villain."

"What? The villain? Why—"

Before I can protest, he hauls me up and walks boldly into the center of the garage. The men spot us immediately.

"Play along," he whispers.

"Beck... Victor. Where is he?" Colt calls out to them.

"Look at what the motherfucking cat dragged in," one says.

Victor has shoulder-length dark curly hair and piercing eyes. He’s tall, clearly an Alpha. Beside him is Beck, a man with a buzz cut, tanned skin, and a face mapped with jagged scars.

"Beck, where is Alpha Warrick?" Colt demands.

"We’ve been looking for you, motherfucker. Where are the others?" Beck replies. Victor remains silent, watching us like a predator.

"We were attacked, Beck. Some were killed, some taken. The others didn't make it."

"Huh? You were attacked, yet here you are looking like a million bucks. You don't look so bad to me."

"I don't have time for this shit, Beck. Take me to him."

"And why would I do that?"

Colt takes a step forward, chest puffed, muscles flexing. Beck’s smirk vanishes, replaced by a look of displeasure.

"Exactly. Because you can't stop me," Colt says. "I escaped a few days ago and tracked his scent. I know he’s here."

"You don't get to see my father just because you say so," Victor finally speaks.

"He’ll want to see me. I have something for him." Colt glances at me.

I freeze, my mind racing.

Play along.

Does he mean to hand me over to this Alpha? How am I supposed to act? Angry? Terrified? I am not an actress, dammit! I keep my muscles rigid and my face neutral.

"Who is she?" Beck asks.

"None of your business," Colt snaps. "Now take me to the Alpha."

Victor stares at me, weighing his options. "Take them to my father. Let him deal with them directly."

Beck looks annoyed but nods. "This way."

He leads us to a black car. Colt holds the door for me, then slides in beside me, with Beck and Victor blocking both exits. The divider window slides down, revealing the driver.

"Back to the Alpha," Beck orders.

I want to scream. The next thirty minutes are stifling, thick with tension. We stop in front of a building just as opulent as our own. We head to the elevator, and every fiber of my being screams

run

, but I force myself to remain still. When we reach the top floor, we’re greeted by a small lobby guarded by heavy-set men on either side of a massive set of double doors.

"Wait here," Beck and Victor say, slipping inside the doors.

"You sensed him?" I whisper to Colt, recalling his earlier lie.

"No, I knew he was here because Victor was here, but the Alpha connection severed long ago. It doesn't matter," he mutters, keeping his voice low so the guards don't hear.

"You were part of his pack?"

"I was forced." He takes my hand. "Listen. In the Dark Fang pack, the only way to survive was to obey and climb the ranks. To Warrick, I am one of his seven generals. Cass... I have to be cruel. Please, understand. I can’t show you any affection."

Cruel?

My eyes water, but I nod. "I understand, C—Alexis."

He closes his eyes in silent apology. "What I’m about to tell Warrick is true. You need to act like you know it already. Act like you’re here willingly. Do you understand? You’re here by choice. Do whatever he tells you."

I nod again, a lump in my throat preventing speech. He straightens his suit, pulling his hand away from mine. "Put on a brave face. They’re coming."

The doors open, but it isn't Beck or Victor who steps out. Two unknown men emerge. One grabs Colt with unnecessary roughness. The other strides toward me, radiating violence. I back away, but he grabs my hand, twisting it behind my back. I cry out, but he shoves me forward into the room. I stumble, falling to my knees, then scramble to stand.

I look up, my pulse racing, and find an older man standing across the room, idly cleaning blood off his hands with a rag.