Page 43 of Mysterious Mate

The flight was silent, each member lost in their thoughts. Cage shut down his end of the link. Willow didn’t need to be awakened or know how much danger they were in. His mind raced with the details of the mission, the potential dangers, and the stakes involved. He glanced out the window, the dark landscape below a stark reminder of the peril they were about to face.

As they approached the schloss, the pilot switched to hover mode, and Cage’s team prepared to rappel down. The ancient castle loomed below them, its silhouette stark against the moonlit sky. The location was both strategic and fortified, but they had the element of surprise on their side.

Cage signaled, and one by one, they descended, landing silently on the schloss’s grounds. They moved with practiced efficiency, spreading out to cover all possible entry points. Cage led the way, his senses heightened, every sound and movement amplified in the stillness of the night.

They breached the main gate, moving swiftly through the shadowy corridors. The schloss was a labyrinth of stone walls and hidden passages, but their intel had provided a detailed map. They navigated the twists and turns, avoiding detection as they approached the central hub of the Shadow League’s operations.

Cage’s heart pounded in his chest as they reached the control room. The doors were heavily guarded, but his team was ready. With a nod, they launched their assault, taking out the guards with precise, silent movements.

Inside, the rooms were filled with computer terminals, paper files, maps and surveillance equipment. Cage’s eyes scanned the space, his mind racing. This was it. The heart of the Shadow League’s operations. They needed to gather as much information as possible before destroying the rest.

"Secure the perimeter and get those explosives planted," Cage ordered, moving to one of the terminals. He inserted a flash drive, downloading critical data that could help dismantle whatever remained of the organization. His fingers flew over the keyboard, his focus unyielding.

Suddenly, an alarm blared, the harsh sound echoing through the stone walls. "We’ve been compromised," one of his team members shouted.

Cage cursed under his breath. "Finish the download. We need to move."

They worked quickly, the seconds ticking by with agonizing slowness. Finally, the download was complete. Cage yanked the flash drive from the terminal and signaled his team. "Go, go, go!"

They sprinted through the corridors, the schloss now alive with activity as the Shadow League’s forces mobilized. Gunfire erupted around them, the echoes deafening in the confined spaces. Cage led the way, his instincts guiding him through the chaos.

They reached the extraction point just as the helicopter descended. Cage covered his team, firing back at their pursuers as they boarded the chopper. He was the last to climb aboard, the rotors kicking up a whirlwind of dust and debris as they lifted off.

As they ascended into the night sky, Cage hit the button that would detonate all of the explosives within the schloss with devastating results. Cage allowed himself a moment of relief. They had done it. They had struck a significant, if not fatal, blow against the Shadow League.

He glanced at the flash drive in his hand, knowing that the information contained within could be the key to cleaning up and ending the League once and for all. He looked out at the dark landscape below, determination hardening his resolve. For Willow, for his people, for all those who had suffered at the hands of the Shadow League, he had seen this through to the end, and he was glad of it.

The helicopter's rotors sliced through the night air, the steady hum a backdrop to the adrenaline still coursing through Cage’s veins. His team sat in silence, each of them processing the mission's success and the close calls they’d faced.

He pulled out his phone and called Willow, eager to hear her voice and share the news. The line buzzed twice before she answered, her voice filled with concern. "Cage? Are you okay?"

"We’re fine," he reassured her, his tone firm and steady. "We managed to hit the Shadow League where it hurts. They might not all be dead, but we’ve broken their backs. We’re on our way to the island now; no casualties on our end."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and he could almost hear her processing the information. "Thank God," she finally said, relief evident in her voice. “You’ll be back soon, right?”

Cage smiled, imagining her expression. "Yes, babe, I’m headed home.”

“We’re going to live at the castle?”

“I suppose we can if you like, although I hate the heat. But you’re my home now, and as long as I’m with you, I’m home. Babe, I need you to do something for me.”

“Name it.”

“I need you to not want to live at the castle. I don’t like this fucking hot weather. I need my cave."

"Cave?" she repeated, her tone incredulous. He could picture her standing there, eyes wide, a mix of disbelief and defiance on her face. "I will not be living in a cave, sorry."

"It’s a really nice cave," Cage countered, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice.

"Uh-huh," Willow said skeptically. "Define ‘nice.’"

Cage chuckled, imagining her reaction when she saw the place. "It’s got all the modern amenities, trust me. Running water, electricity, even Wi-Fi. And it’s cool and comfortable. You’ll love it."

Willow’s voice softened slightly, though the skepticism remained. "We’ll see about that. But if you’re lying to me, I swear I’ll make you regret it."

"Wouldn’t dream of it," Cage said, his tone growing serious. "Just pack our things and be ready. We’ll be home soon."

"Alright," she agreed, a hint of affection in her voice. "Be safe, Cage. I love you."

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