Accidental Surrogate, Chapter 365: Assault

As the startled men hurried from the conference room, Henry turned to Cora and me, his grim expression met by our terrified stares.

“I made a grave miscalculation,” he said, nodding regretfully. “I’m sorry, girls. I failed you.”

“What?” I gasped, clutching my baby. “Henry, what are you talking about?”

“It was a trap,” he said, glancing toward the door. The banging intensified, escalating into shouts and screams.

“A trap?” Cora asked, turning toward the door.

“They knew,” Henry said, shaking his head. “They must have followed us from the sewer and waited for the bulk of our forces—and our most powerful wolves—to leave before attacking. Damn it!” He slammed his fist on the armrest. “I was a fool to leave you and the child unguarded!”

“Oh my god,” I whispered, trembling. My mind raced, searching for a solution.

“Come,” Henry said, composing himself. He quickly moved to a corner, pointing to the edge of the carpet. “Cora, pull that up.”

Cora obeyed, instantly kneeling and pulling back the carpet to reveal a trapdoor.

“Open it,” Henry snapped. Cora lifted the latch, revealing a narrow, winding staircase descending into darkness.

“Go,” Henry ordered, nodding toward the stairs without looking at us.

“Henry,” I protested. “We can’t leave you.”

Screams erupted from the hallway, followed by gunfire. Horror washed over me.

“Go, Ella,” Henry growled, grabbing my arm and pushing me toward the passage. “Go down. Keep going. There’s a tunnel at the bottom, and a car at the end—God willing, it’s in good repair. Run as far and as fast as you can.”

He pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed it into my hand. “Tell them what happened as soon as you’re out, but don’t reveal your location until you have a different phone. Who knows—”

He sighed, burying his face in his hands. His shoulders shook. “There’s not enough time.”

The hallway noise intensified, and my breathing quickened.

“All right,” I said, nodding to Cora before kissing Henry’s cheek. “Henry, we love you. We’ll—we’ll come back for you.”

“Don’t,” he said, his eyes fixed on Rafe, who cried at the noise. “Take the baby—take yourselves. Get safe, girls. I love you too.”

Cora and I descended the twisting stairs. I handed Cora the phone and the baby carrier for better balance. As I turned to speak to Henry one last time, the door slammed shut, plunging me into darkness.

“Ella,” Cora cried. “Ella, please—we have to go—”

“I’m coming, Cora,” I said, swallowing my fear. We had to survive. We had to get out—to warn our mates. I looked at her determinedly. “Let’s go.”

Cora nodded and continued down the stairs.

Sinclair

“Any word?” Roger asked as our men disembarked from the cars. We’d arrived at our entry point—a sewer, which I grimaced at seeing again.

It was the best route—through this public sewer we could access the roads closest to Xavier’s stronghold. Still, I wouldn't mind never entering another sewer again.

“Nothing new,” I said, glancing at my phone. I’d been in contact with my father. “Apparently, they’re playing poker.”

“Oh,” Roger said, his eyebrows rising. “Good. Cora will clean up at that.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, putting away my phone. “I have a feeling Ella bet the house.”

“Good,” Roger said, grinning. “I always liked your house. Do you think you can be out by the end of the week?”

I glared at him but couldn’t help smiling. Roger was in a good mood, which lifted my spirits.

But a nagging feeling persisted. My instincts screamed, wrong, wrong. I pushed it aside, despite my wolf’s protests. We were on a mission, short on time. I wouldn’t call it off because it felt imperfect.

I looked at the men. “Ready?” I asked. They nodded. “Forward,” I said, pointing toward the sewer entrance.

The men went first, allowing Roger and me to bring up the rear. We’d switch closer to the assault, which would bring us directly onto Xavier’s property, perhaps even his house.

The sewer’s proximity was fortunate, but my wolf still snarled, too good, too easy, not right. I shook my head, dismissing my wolf’s apprehension. Our plans hadn’t changed. We were pressing forward.

After our thirty men entered the sewer, Roger stepped forward. “All right, brother?” he asked before disappearing into the darkness. “You’re not quite yourself.”

“I’m fine,” I snapped, pocketing my phone. “Prepare for about forty-five minutes of darkness and radio silence. We won’t get cell service down there.”

“No worries, bro,” Roger said, grinning in the darkness as I resealed the entrance. “I know enough showtunes to whistle along the way. I’ll keep you entertained.”

Shaking my head but grateful for his presence, I began the assault.