Aria’s POV
My gaze stayed on the map.
“If we’re set, I’ll redirect drones to focus on managent,” Alia added.
“No.” The word ca out sharper than I intended. Both of them looked at .
“What’s the matter?” Alia asked.
I lifted my hand and pointed, not at managent, but at a junction between the workers’ sector and the distribution zone.
“Factory workers don’t live online,” I said slowly. “They don’t track political scandals or pack disputes. Even if Tyler stood right in front of them, covered in scent markers and fear, they might not know who he is.”
My jaw tightened.
“That ans he doesn’t have to be hidden in managent.”
The silence thickened.
Alia’s eyes darkened in thought. “So...he can be anywhere.”
“Yes,” I murmured. “Patrick could hide him in plain sight.” The hunt just got harder.
“If that’s the case,” Alia admitted, “finding him quickly might not be realistic.”
I pressed my lips together. My wolf paced inside , claws scraping at my control. Ti mattered. Every hour Tyler and his wife stayed there, their scent trail grew colder.
“We will have to split our approach,” I decided.
Both of them straightened.
“Alia, you will still move forward with the drone surveillance on managent. There’s a strong chance you’re right.”
“Simultaneously?” she asked.
I nodded. “I see two other options. First, we plant soone inside the factory. A long-term infiltrator. Soone patient enough to wait for a scent match or a slip-up.”
Chloe swallowed.
“The second,” I continued, “is faster, we isolate a worker and question them. But that’s risky. They might know nothing... or alert soone.”
My gaze moved between them. “Any other ideas?”
They exchanged a look.
“No,” Alia said quietly. “Your first option is safer.”
Chloe nodded. “I agree.”
I twisted my fingers together, thinking.
“Then we need soone to go in.”
“Chloe and I can’t,” Alia said after a mont. “Patrick visits sotis. He knows us, and a random hire is too dangerous.”
Chloe started listing nas, one after another, but I could tell from the way her scent grew sharper that she was rejecting each one.
Her face scrunched in irritation.
“How about Francis?” I said suddenly.
Both of them looked at .
“I rember he’s worked with Sophia before, but he’s never t Patrick.” My mind was already moving ahead, instincts lining pieces up. “And the drone tech? It’s his creation. If anyone can adapt mid-mission, it’s him.”
Chloe and Alia exchanged a look.
“Plus,” Alia added, nodding slowly, “if he handles the field adjustnts himself, the system will run smoother than if we try to relay everything.”
Chloe slapped the table. “I’ll go get him.”
I pushed away from the table too. “I’m coming. This mission’s too important to pass through layers. I’ll speak to him directly.”
My wolf stirred in agreent. This wasn’t just a strategy, this was a hunt.
We drove to the Starsource Institute, the city’s hum fading behind layers of steel and glass. The mont I stepped out of the car, sterile air hit my nose.
Rose, Francis’ assistant, stood at the entrance.
Her expression soured the mont she saw us. Her scent turned sour too with sharp jealousy, thinly masked. She went back in.
When we reached the door, Chloe lifted her hand to knock, but Rose opened the door and stepped in front of it.
“Mr. Murray is resting. Please don’t disturb him!”
“Resting?” Chloe checked the ti. “It’s almost dinner ti. I’ll wake him.”
She tried to move past but Rose blocked her again, her shoulders stiff. “Because of you, he’s been overworking in the lab. He finally fell asleep, and now you’re here to drag him back!”
Her eyes locked on .
Ah...So that’s it.
I frowned, confused but calm. My wolf didn’t react with hostility, only assessnt. She slled protective... but also territorial.
“If that’s the case,” I said evenly, stepping back, “tell him to contact us once he’s rested.”
Before she could reply, Francis’ door opened.
“No need. I’m awake,” he said.
He stood there, his shirt rumpled, sleep still clinging to him. His gaze cleared the mont it landed on us.
Rose rushed forward. “Mr. Murray, you barely slept. Let send them away...”
His scent shifted with cold authority.
“You are my assistant,” he said, his voice flat. “Your duty is to follow instructions.”
She faltered.
“If you can’t, I’ll ask Wanda to reassign you.”
Her face drained of color. Submission rolled off her like mist. “I’m sorry... I won’t do it again...”
“Take the rest of the day off,” he said, already looking at . “Co in guys.”
Inside, the lab-office humd softly with machines. My eyelid twitched. I have been stressed lately and have had lack of sleep. Francis handed hot tea.
“Are you not feeling well?”
“Just work pressure,” I said, wrapping my hands around the warmth. It grounded and steadied my racing pulse.
“You should rest more.”
I snorted lightly. “Your assistant says you haven’t been resting either because of , is that true?”
“Don’t mind her,” he said. “She’s fishing for emotional territory she doesn’t own.”
Francis was direct, as always.
“So,” he said, his eyes bright now, studying . “What brings the big bad CEO to my office?”
User Comments
0 comments from readers