The Alpha Target

Eight

Cora slipped into the black, silk gown and tugged the zip up on the side of her breast. It was a strapless bodice, the corset hugging her in all the right places, before flowing into a free fall floor-length skirt from her waist down. To the left was a deep slit within the thick material, accentuating her long, slender leg. She paired the dress with her favourite black, strappy heels and fastened a diamond tennis necklace around her neck.

Darca passed her the brunette wig, which Cora secured into place over her pink locks. It was a deep chocolate tone which was styled into a blunt cut bob just above her shoulders. As was the aim, she looked completely unrecognisable. Reaching for her purse, she flashed Darca and Joni a sinister smile. “Let’s go.”

It was the night of the next auction and though exclusive access only, Darca had somehow managed to secure the team invites. No one asked how, namely because no one particularly wanted to know just what Darca and her laptop could get up to. Sometimes, the less you know the better.

The team piled into the SUV as Declan jumped into the drivers side. Pulling down the visor, Cora did a final check of her wig in the mirror. Unfortunately, having bright pink hair made her rather unforgettable and tonight they needed to fly under the radar as much as possible.

“Is everyone clear on the plan?” Cora asked, leaning back into the passenger seat. Tonight needed to go perfectly. Knox had already ruined their previous lead and the bar had been a bust for gathering information, Cora was praying tonight would point them in the right direction.

“Darca, Joni, Bishop and Trey. Locate the omegas as soon as possible once we arrive. Scout the area, they’ll likely be a back door they’re using to keep the women away from the guests. Rocco and support will be a mile out, once you’ve found the women send the signal and start loading them into the trucks. Remember, do not get caught by anyone. No one can see you or else it will ruin our chances at the next auction to save more. Understood?”

The four nodded, perfectly clear on their roles for the night. “Declan and I will present as guests. We’ll keep watch for any trouble and keep you updated on anyone who seems to be heading your way. Declan,” Cora turned to the driver. “Keep your eyes peeled for any Alphas or Betas you may recognise. They may not be the ones running this thing but they’ll have information we’ll need to move forward.”

The six agents continued to discuss the smaller details of their plan throughout the journey, which happened to be just over an hour away from the HQ. Adrenaline was thick in the air and the team were growing restless with anticipation, it was paramount these women were saved. Cora’s gut wrenched at the thought of the treatment these women were being subject to, she wasn’t naïve enough to believe the abuse only begun once they were sold as breeders. Cora had been fortunate enough to escape her fate and where she was headed tonight was only further evidence that her circumstance had been a miracle.

“We still have no idea how they’re even getting taken,” Bishop sighed, clenching his fists. “We can save any many of them from these auctions as possible, but it won’t stop until we nail down the system.”

Cora hated that he was right. No matter how successful they were tonight, it wouldn’t stop a new batch of omegas suffering the same fate. “We’ll find a way,” she promised, offering bishop a warm smile. “I promise.”

A short while later, Declan brought the SUV to a halt half a mile away from the warehouse. Surrounded by the night sky, it was the perfect opportunity for the rescue team members to creep up to the rear of the building without being spotted by any potential guards stationed nearby. By being able to access the situation from an unnoticeable distance, it eliminated any surprises and allowed the team to plan the attack and sneak in.

Dressed in dark colours, they could move undetected as they blended into the abyss of darkness. Not only did they have their shifter sight working to their advantage, the four team members had successfully activated their night-vision goggles and were weaponised with guns. Moreover, Cora had ensured each member of her team was able to move as lightly and quietly as a mouse, hiding them from shifter hearing. Even Trey, who somewhat resembled bigfoot.

“Coms?” Cora asked. “Keep your eyes peeled for Knox.” Just saying his name had a concoction of mixed feelings stirring within her, but she forcefully shoved it to the back of her mind. She needed her head in the game.

“Connected, we’ll keep you updated,” Joni confirmed as she slammed the passenger door shut. Cora and Declan exchanged a determined glance before continuing their journey.

A few minutes later they had pulled up outside a gloomy old factory warehouse. They were truly in the middle of nowhere, with the warehouse being situated in the middle of a rural forest. The only light around them came from the headlights of others guest’s cars as they parked up outside.

Cora hoped out of the vehicle as Declan joined her side. She looped her arm through his as they followed the other guests to the entrance. Cora had been worried she may have been overdressed for the occasion and as a result would draw too much attention to herself but as she inspected the Alphas in tailored suits and the Lunas donning extravagant gowns, the worry had quickly dissipated.

As they passed through the guarded steel doors, a woman with scaped back golden hair sporting a professional, knee-length black dressed greeted them. “Good evening, welcome to the auction.” Cora tried her best to hide her disgust at the woman who was smiling away at her and Declan as if her bosses weren’t selling women to be abused. “Please each take a paddle and join the other guests for the evening.”

Cora’s eyes trailed along the wooden table layered in bidding paddles and reluctantly reached her hand out to grab one, Declan doing the same. As they turned to leave, the woman called out, “Enjoy your evening! Good luck.”

The warehouse was filled with dozens of Alpha couples and Betas, each gathered round in several crowds as they chatted amongst themselves. Clearly, none of them were shy about being recognised, but then again: vermin attracts vermin. Cora got the impression many of the guests were regulars, especially with the way they so effortlessly seemed to be at ease with their surroundings. There was no shame in the air, no disgust. Only eagerness and intrigue. Black chairs were set out in equal lines either side of the room leading up to the stage light up with spotlights and a single microphone stand. There was nothing spectacular about it.

Cora was an expert at masking her emotions, and though she may appear unfazed to nosey guests who were sparing her glances, vomit was rising up her throat from the scene as loathing lingered on her skin. All these Alphas and Betas were gathered in this one room for only a single purpose: to buy a woman they could rape and abuse. Her fingers were itching the deliver a slow and torturous death to every single one of them. To subject each of them to the same ending they had planned for another. She wanted to see them weep for their lives, the same way those poor women surely would do for theirs.

Declan squeezed her hand gently. “I’ll take this side,” he told her, tilting his head to the right. Cora nodded and released her arm from his as her gaze flickered to the left. With Declan gone, Cora studied the guests nearby. They were clearly the pretentious kind, the ones who believed wealth and power made them greater than the rest. She’d bet their lavish outfits were costly, using their extravagant camouflage to hide the insecurities money can’t fix.

Slowly, Cora made her way to the rows of chairs which were now starting to become occupied. She wanted to stay near the rear, ensuring she could witness every little detail that may occur. Noticing a singular seat on the far back row, a determined Cora cautiously made her way to the opening. Nearing the chair and the guests sitting in its neighbours, her heart dipped and she suddenly stilled. Despite the scarcely light, there was no denying what her eyes perceived. That bastard.

A singular pink rose carefully laid on the base of the chair, demanding her attention to its intricate beauty.

Cora couldn’t do anything but stare at the flower, the one she knew had purposefully been placed there for her. She watched it like it was a live tarantula, staring straight back at her and daring her to go closer. She blinked once, twice, thrice but the rose remained. Apprehension rippled down her spine as her breathing got caught in her throat. Unease stirred within her, her heart missing a beat. Not from fear but from exhilaration. It was a sign, a sign from him. He had been one step ahead of her since the start, toying with her like a mouse.

It wasn’t often Cora found herself stunned, but this was very much one of those times. It was like Knox knew her next move before she even knew it herself, premediating her every step. She was supposed to be gaining in on him, not the other goddamn bastard way around.

And now he was intent on imbedding himself in her mind, in her subconscious and it angered Cora because he was doing such a frustratingly excellent job. He was playing with her, tempting her, and testing her. But she refused to fall victim as his prey, she was the predator in this scenario, not him. Though it certainly didn’t help that her Wolf seemed to perk up the minute he was mentioned.

She frowned as she studied the crowd, searching for those piercing blue eyes that had lodged themselves in her mind. She scanned every face in the room committed to finding the bastard, but he was nowhere to be seen. Gritting her teeth, Cora reluctantly lifted the rose and took a seat. She then noticed how he’d removed the thorns from the stem, stopping her from grazing her skin on the sharp needles. If he wasn’t such a psycho, she would have found that strangely sweet. Instead, she wanted to find the fucker and jam the rose in his eye.

Lucien smirked as his eyes got caught up on his little rose, he could feel the irritation radiating off her in flames, the clocks in her head spinning as she tried to calculate how he was able to predict her so well. She was f*****g incredible. Even wearing her devious disguise, her sultry eyes still drew him in. She looked seductive without even trying. Her lips were pouty and pink, f**k how he wanted to nip them with his teeth.

It was like a hurricane was at his back, pushing him towards her and leaving no room for resistance. Even just a glimpse of her is enough to send his heart into a tailspin. The sight of her has his knees weakening and his pulse racing. She was exquisite.

Lucien didn’t really know if God existed. He never quite cared for it either, never finding himself a religious person. But now, he was more certain that ever, if God did exist… she was a woman.

He wanted to watch her for a while, even though he didnt have too long, so he stayed in the back and peeked through the dozens of heads to get a good look at her. He'd assumed correctly that she would be here tonight in her position as a Viper agent. And he couldn't help but grin at the fact his little mate and her friends assumed he was the mastermind behind this monstrosity. Perhaps that should anger him, but it didn't. It only ensured his Cora would stay hot on his tail for the time being, buying him time to understand why she couldn't feel the bond between them.

For now, he would continue to watch her. But something inexplicably dark arises in his chest – which wasn’t unusual for him. It was black and evil and cruel. All he wanted to do was break her. Shatter her into pieces. And then arrange those pieces to fit against his own. He didn’t care if they didn’t fit, he’d f*****g make them fit. Because he was obsessed. He was addicted. He would gladly cross every single moral line if it made making his mate realises she was his.