The entire time I'm running, I focus on blocking Killian out of my head. It's hard but I know it's possible because Killian said he does it with his pack all the time. At first I can hear him yelling at me and fuck, he's angry. I focus even harder, eventually blocking him out entirely, even though it hurts physically and mentally to do it. He's no doubt already planning another rescue attempt, only this time he knows exactly where I'm going.

That just means I have to work even quicker.

I make it to the edge of Alpha Lucas' pack in record time. Under normal circumstances I'd be proud of myself, but it's hard with the knot in my stomach that's causing my nerves to go haywire. That nagging feeling in the back of my head that I know is Killian trying to contact me isn't helping either. My heart breaks a little, but I press on.

I hide behind a tree to get dressed. Two guards halt at my approach, their arms crossed against their chests, their expressions stern. They're obviously not any guards of Lucas's. Warriors.

"You don't belong over here," The taller one spoke.

Of course they probably smell Killian's alpha scent all over me; Lucas and Sage probably made sure all guards and Warriors were familiar with it to keep his pack away from them. I briefly wonder how they don't immediately recognize me as a Warrior. Did mating with Killian break my bond with them?

"Sage is expecting me. I'm here to make a deal," I respond, maintaining eye contact so they know they can't intimidate me.

The other one walks a few feet away and pulls out his phone. After a very brief conversation he walks back over silently, with nothing but a slight nod to his friend. The friend grabs my arm rather roughly and pulls me in what I'm assuming is the direction of the pack house.

I glare up at him. I'm tempted to start shit with him- too bad I have to play it carefully if I want to make it out of here alive. I'm surprised they don't blindfold me as we weave our way through the compound. I take in every detail I can.

Every face, landmark, and building I see committed to memory. Warrior Handsy must have been watching me because he scoffs at my focused gaze and smirks evilly down at me.

"Don't bother," he grumbles.

I lift my eyebrow up at him.

"General Sage doesn't intend on letting you out of here," he stares back mockingly.

"I'm sure he didn't intend on letting me escape last time either and look how that worked out," I mumble under my breath.

He responds by gripping my arm tighter and dragging me behind him. After at least twenty minutes of walking, we end up at what looks like an airplane hangar.

Fuck.

My stomach drops. I didn't anticipate them relocating me. They wouldn't be stupid enough to take me back to the base a second time, but taking me to a different, likely remote location would certainly mean my death.

The smile on the Warriors' faces grow, sinister and leering. I feel a brief sense of relief when we pass the row of small aircrafts. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long when I see where he's taking me and I'm filled with dread once more.

Along the back wall of the hangar is a small, solid metal door. The Warrior not holding on to me walked up to it and entered in a code on the keypad, making sure to block my view.

"I suppose you're not going to tell me where you're taking me?" I ask dryly.

They both laugh, the sound devoid of any humor, but they don't respond. The door leads to a long stairway that descends beneath the hangar. We go down several flights before coming to a long, dimly lit hallway.

Great, more cells. The hallway is lined with several concrete holding cells, but unlike the ones on base, these ones didn't have windows embedded in the doors. I try to maintain my calm and even out my breathing despite the severity of my situation. This is exponentially worse than my situation on base.

They waste no time locking me up in the cell furthest back. They're much spacier than I anticipated; each one is equipped with two metal chairs and nothing else. I'm not sure if the pack uses these rooms for interrogation or Lucas and Sage's experiments, but the implications of what happens down here make me sick. This cell in particular is already occupied by someone else.

From what I can tell, it's a man, not much older than me, but I can't be quite sure. His beard is grown out and scruffy, his face is dirty and unkempt. I hold my breath at the smell.

I'm tied up to the chair opposite him and the Warriors leave without a word. The man doesn't even bother looking up at our entrance- he just stares blankly at the floor in front of him. I contemplate demanding a word with Sage, but these Warriors don't seem very accommodating.

Alone with my thoughts and not much in the way of company from the man in front of me, I decide it's time to mind link Killian and ask for help. I open my mind and reach out to him.

I reach out, but there's no connection. The mind link is broken.

"Fuck," I cry, no longer able to hide the desperation in my voice.

"If you're trying to mind link someone, it won't work down here," the man says.

I look up at him to see him staring at me intently. There's a familiarity there that I can't quite place. But then it hits me. I'd never met him before, but I've gone over his file countless times over the past few months.

Alpha Lucas.