the door like he wanted to follow them, but I needed him with me and Drake. Drake’s fights were tomorrow and as painful as it was to think about it, there was a possibility he would die. All our plans needed to be finalised tonight.
A large imposing figure strode into the hall. All conversation ceased and the guards above watched with interest.
Zander approached, his face tight. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest. Animosity rippled off the shifters nearby who tracked his progress. His eyes flashed red, and he glared at them before unleashing enough power to make them stagger. He’d never bring them to their knees like I could, he wasn’t their Prime, but he definitely had the ability to incapacitate them and they knew it. Most turned and left the hall.
“Zander. Isn’t coming here a bit risky, right now?” Carefully, I watched the guards, who were taking too much interest in Zander.
His eyes flitted from me to Ember. “No offence, brother, but I haven’t come to talk to you, I’ve come to talk to Ember.”
Instantly my spine stiffened, my instincts kicking in. “No. You stay away from her.”
Ember raised a brow, but put a hand over my clenched fist. “I’ll be fine. Zander will look after me. Won’t you?” She looked at Zander expectantly.
I scowled at her, my instinct to forbid her to go with him, hard to control.
She pretended not to notice. “Connor’s busy, anyway. How about you escort me back to his cell?”
Zander raised his brows at me and smirked. I glowered back, trying to curb my need to punch that amused look off his face. I trusted Ember, though neither one of us could do a thing if he had an ulterior plan. His drugs and weapons meant we were helpless to stop him. I tried to control my anxiety, shoving my palms against my thighs and grabbing my own flesh to resist hauling her against me where I could at least try and protect her from whatever he was doing.
Owen’s eyes narrowed on me and even Ember shifted her stance and rubbed her arms. Zander’s face softened minutely. “It’s alright, brother, I’ll not harm her. I’ll make sure she gets to your cell safely. I only want to talk to her.”
I nodded. For some reason I believed him. I stood, needing to leave before I was unable to make myself walk away from her.
She laid a hand on my arm. “I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” She opened her mouth to speak again, but I turned and walked away, Drake and Owen flanking me. My Firecracker was an independent, strong soul who could take care of herself. Besides, I needed to ensure our plans would be as foolproof as possible.
Two hours later we were as prepared as we could be. Before she had been dragged away, Charlie had done her best to educate Drake on what he needed to do. I clenched my fists. I’d not been able to get Charlie out of the debauched entertainment rooms, but I would not leave her there.
Owen escorted me back to my cell, his brow furrowed. “What do you think Zander wanted with Ember?”
I glanced at my beta and best friend. “No idea, and I doubt she’ll tell me.”
He smirked. “Probably not. What about his plan to get into the science wing? Do you think it will work?”
I released a heavy sigh, foreboding shuddering through me. “It has to. We’re all out of options. Our faceless boss is clamouring for information and the warden seems to have lost his shit. Whatever he’s doing, he’s moving it to the next level. It’s like he doesn’t need us or this place anymore. And that scares the fuck out of me. We have to get out.” I turned to him. “That means no matter what happens to me or Zander, you get our brothers out and as many of these other poor buggers as possible. Don’t stop, don’t surrender and don’t give up. Wherever you go, I’ll find you.”
Owen nodded, his jaw tight. “I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will, but until I find you, you’ll take on the role of alpha. You’re strong enough to do it.”
“I don’t want that position.” He growled, his wolf surfacing.
I shoved my face into his. “I don’t care. I’m telling you to take it and to care for our brothers and people. Do you understand me?” I snarled back and pushed enough power against his mind,