Page 65 of Rescued By Four Alphas
"Your mate," Rivera says quietly when the others are occupied. "She means a lot to these men, yes? Not just to you."
I look over at my pack.
"She's carrying our children," I tell Rivera simply. "All of ours."
Understanding dawns in Rivera's eyes. "Ah. A true Omega bond. I've heard of such things but never seen them."
"She's everything to us," I say, the words feel inadequate for what Dahlia truly means. "And Reid is going to die for touching her."
Rivera grins. "I can't wait."
As the others conduct final equipment checks, I step outside the cabin, needing a moment alone. Montana at night is cold and clear, and the stars are blazing overhead with no city lights to dim them. Somewhere out there, Dahlia is alone and afraid.
I close my eyes, reaching for our bond. The connection feels stretched thin, almost transparent, but it's still there. I can't sense her emotions or thoughts; the distance is too great, but I can feel that she's alive. That must be enough for now.
"Onyx." Leo's voice breaks into my thoughts. He stands in the cabin doorway, outlined by the low light behind him. "Rivera wants to go over the ammunition distribution."
I nod and follow him inside. The cabin has transformed into a makeshift armory, with weapons covering every surface. Rivera's men check and recheck their equipment.
"These are for the inner security teams," Rivera explains, opening a case of specialized ammunition. "It contains subsonic rounds, minimal penetration, but maximum stopping power.We don't want stray bullets going through walls in a medical facility."
"And these," Vega adds, unlocking another case, "are for emergencies only." Inside lie what look like small silver grenades. "They are flashbang concussions with an EMP pulse. They'll temporarily disable any electronic systems in a fifteen-foot radius."
Leo takes one, scrutinizing it. "Range?"
"Ten seconds from pin pull. Throw, count to three, then cover your eyes and ears."
By midnight, we've finalized everything except for one crucial element.
"We still have not decided on the extraction point," Evan says, bringing up a topographical map on his tablet. "The helicopter needs a clearing at least thirty feet in diameter, with minimal tree coverage for approach."
Rivera studies the map, then points to a spot approximately two miles east of the facility. "This place has a natural clearing, high enough elevation for a clean departure path, and it's low enough to remain below radar coverage."
"How long will it take to get to the facility on foot?" Axl asks.
"Forty minutes through dense forest," Rivera calculates. "Slower if your Omega is injured or unable to walk."
"We'll carry her, if necessary," I say firmly. "We'll do whatever it takes."
By 11 p.m., even Rivera seems satisfied with our level of preparation.
"Get some rest," he advises. "The first team moves out at 0400 hours. We'll have full darkness and maximum advantage."
Though exhaustion pulls at my muscles, sleep feels impossible. I lie on the narrow cot, staring at the ceiling. When I finally drift into a restless sleep, my dreams are filled with her voice calling my name.
I wake just before midnight with barely an hour of sleep. Some of the men are sleeping, and the others are already moving about the cabin, gathering their gear.
Rivera's communications specialist enters from outside. "Sir, we've intercepted facility radio traffic. It's encrypted, but we managed to isolate some transmissions from their medical team."
"What did you hear?" Evan demands, crossing the room in three quick strides.
The specialist hesitates, his eyes flickering face to face. "They're talking about a 'primary subject' entering early labor phases. Something about 'accelerated extraction protocols' being initiated."
The room goes silent. The mug I'm holding shatters in my grip, and the hot coffee splashes across my hand. I don't feel it.
"When?" I ask, my voice barely recognizable even to my ears.
"The transmission came through twenty minutes ago." He swallows hard. "So, right about now."
