She nodded fiercely. "And we’ll take down the rest. But first, you need to get some rest."

William managed a weak smile. "Thanks, everyone. I thought... I was gonna die in that cage."

Zayden gently tapped him on the shoulder. "Not on my watch. Now, quickly, those devices. Do you have your formula?"

William nodded, his voice rough. "Maksim made upgrades. They’re gone, untraceable now. But I added some backdoors, weak spots. I can show you."

Zayden’s eyes lit up, almost like a predator. "Good man."

The door swung open, and in came Dr. Hale, in his mid-50s, with silver hair and a neat suit, rushing in with a med kit. "HK. You called?"

Zayden stepped aside. "Check him out. Full workup. He’s been locked up for years, malnourished, hurt, the whole deal."

Dr. Hale nodded, keeping it professional. "On it."

While the doctor got started on vitals, blood draw, and scans, Aylin pulled Zayden aside. "He’s damaged. But strong."

Zayden wrapped his arm around her waist, whispering playfully. "Just like you."

She blushed, playfully swatting his chest. "Not right now."

Leo laughed from the doorway. "Find a room already. Oh wait, you’ve got like fifty."

Zayden shot him a half-serious glare. "Get out."

Leo saluted, grinning. "Yes, boss."

Dr. Hale finished the initial check after thirty minutes of probing and questions. "Severe malnutrition. Dehydration. Broken ribs, some old, some new. Infections are starting. But no organ failure. He’ll need IV fluids, antibiotics, and some rest; he’ll bounce back. Strong guy."

Zayden nodded. "Good. Get him stable."

William, with an IV hooked up, looked up. "I... I can help now. The formulas,"

"Later," Zayden interrupted, firm but nice. "Eat first. Rest."

A guard came in, nodding at Zayden. "Room’s ready, boss. Basement level, just like the others."

Zayden turned to William. "You’ll stay here. Safe. Guards’ quarters are secure and comfy. No cage. Ever again."

William’s eyes got misty. "I... thank you."

Two guards helped him up, their strong arms supporting his frail frame. "Come on, Doc says you gotta have pasta first. The chef’s got it waiting in the mess hall."

William let out a weak laugh. "Pasta? Feels like forever since I’ve had it."

The guards chuckled, clearly comfortable with each other. "Best in the city. The boss insists on it."

As they guided him out, William paused at the door and glanced back at Zayden. "Whoever you are under that mask... You didn’t just save my life. You gave me hope."

Zayden nodded once, keeping his voice steady. "Use it. We’re gonna put an end to this."

The door shut behind them.

In the ops room, right next to the med bay, Zayden paced while Aylin was at her desk with her laptop, and Reyes leaned against the wall like a silent guard. Leo was tapping away on his tablet.

Jax and Jane stood at attention, flanking Aylin. Jax had his scarred knuckles showing, while Jane’s sharp gaze was focused on anything that moved, both ready for orders.

Zayden had made it clear the moment they walked in: "You’re on her. Never leave her side. Not for a second. Protect her like she’s me."

Jax grunted in agreement. "Got it, boss."

Jane smirked, teasing him. "We’ll keep her safer than you do."

Now, in the middle of everything, Zayden stopped pacing and got all serious. "Alright. Any doubts? Let’s hear them."

Reyes crossed his arms, speaking in a low, gravelly voice. "Liam. Think he might be the kid from your camp?"

Zayden rubbed his jaw, anger flaring at the memory. "Could be. He disappeared after his dad’s accident. Sharp kid—too sharp. If it’s him... why go hiding? Why come back now, especially with Ayla?"

Aylin looked up, a bit defensive. "He’s good for her. He makes her laugh. He protected her when I couldn’t."

Zayden softened, cupping her chin. "I get it, babe. But if he’s mixed up in this... we need to know the whole story. Why did he vanish and get so close to Ayla? Your sister, Lunel’s sister."

Leo jumped in with a playful tone. "Maybe he’s just a lovesick puppy. Not everyone’s a spy, Z."

Zayden shot him an annoyed glare. "Says the guy who’s crushing on Selina."

Leo’s face went red. "Come on!"

Aylin laughed, her bright tone easing the tension. "Leo’s got a point. Maybe Liam’s totally clean. But what about that ghost shooter? On that night in the woods, someone took out those attackers. It wasn’t me. It wasn’t you. So, who was it?"

Reyes shifted in his seat, looking serious. "He might actually be on our side. Looks like he’s had your back from a distance."

Zayden narrowed his eyes, anger bubbling up. "Or he could be spying on us. The timing seems way too perfect."

Leo was busy with his tablet. "Selina’s chip is pinging. Maksim is really mad about the raid, convinced it’s an inside job. But there’s still no word on William."

Aylin leaned in and gave Zayden a playful wink. "Just give it some time. He’s bound to mess up."

Zayden grinned, pulling her a little closer. "With you on this? No way he stands a chance."

Leo groaned. "Flirting later, guys. We need to come up with a plan for William once he’s stabilized."

Reyes nodded in agreement. "We should question him gently. He’s already broken down. But his formulas? They could really help us against Alpha and Maksim."

Zayden started pacing again, looking serious. "I agree. And about the mole, as Leo said, someone must have tipped us off about that palace location. It was way too easy."

Aylin’s tone turned serious. "I’ll run background checks on everyone. If there’s an insider..."

Zayden finished her thought, fury in his eyes. "We take them out."

Leo laughed to lighten the mood. "Just don’t go snooping in my search history. That’d be so embarrassing."

Aylin winked at him. "Too late for that."

Laughter filled the room, brief but needed.

Twenty minutes flew by, plans getting sharper while coffee was shared.

Then, there came a sudden knock.

A guard walked in, looking tense. "Boss, there’s a woman here. She insists on seeing Lunel and HK. Won’t say anything else."

Aylin froze. "What?"

Zayden’s eyes narrowed again, anger rising. "Could be Selina, but she would’ve called first."

The guard shook his head. "Not her. We don’t know who she is. She came straight to the tower as she knew it."

Leo raised his eyebrows in surprise. "How? The perimeter is locked down."

Reyes shifted, his hand hovering near his gun. "Is this a trap?"

Aylin was ready to pounce, like a lioness. "Or ally. What exactly did she say?"

The guard answered, "Just say ’I need to talk to Lunel and HK. It’s urgent.’"

Zayden’s jaw tightened, serious and calculating. "Bring her up. But be careful. Check her for weapons. Keep your eyes on her the whole time."

The guard nodded and quickly left.

The room got tense, with people’s hands on weapons and screens blinking.

Who was she?

How did she know their names and where they were?

Zayden pulled Aylin close, protective-like. "Stay behind me."

She nodded, but her eyes were fierce.

The door opened.

The woman walked in, her hood up and face in the shadows.

But her voice, cool and familiar, sliced through the tension.

"Hello, darlings."

Selina? Nah.

Someone else.

Someone who knew way too much.

As her hood fell back, showing sharp features and a knowing grin, the room filled with shock.

Who was she?

And what secrets did she bring?