chapter Twenty–Six: Hide and Seek
Samanthas POV
I was able to still my breath, but my heart was beating out of my chest as someone walked into the room. What was I thinking. hiding behind a coat stand in the corner? The only thing.
between the mystery person and me was a single–suit jacket. I tucked myself as close to the corner as possible, willing myself
to be invisible.
So many thoughts flashed through my mind. If I had been.
spotted, this whole operation would be over. I would have.
single–handedly ruined any chance of finding the antidote and
our cover would be blown. I wished I could see where Alex hid,
seeing him would have brought at least a little relief.
As the person stepped into view I had to stifle a gasp. More of his hair had gone grey, probably from stress, but he still stood tall and proud as he walked across the room to the wall opposite my hiding spot. Seeing him brought a flood of emotions I hadnt expected.
I had thought my feelings toward my father were clear, I experienced nothing but disdain whenever I thought about him. But there was something else still coming through at that
chapter Twenty–Six Hide and Seek
moment. As he stood on the other side of the room, another
feeling had surfaced, concern for him.
He was doing something to the wall, so I shifted my position to
get a better view. I froze as the coat stand shifted ever so
slightly. My father stopped what he was doing, but only for a moment. I watched as he pushed on a piece of trim along the wall. It gave way and a secret compartment slid open with a hiss. After putting in a code, the heavy door to the hiding spot swung open with a groan.
That must be where the antidote is being kept. He slipped something into the safe and resealed it, making a hasty retreat from the room without spotting either of us. With a sigh of relief, I exited my place in the corner.
“That was so close, I thought for sure he was going to see us,” Alex whispered as he slipped out from behind some file cabinets.
I hurried over to the place my father had just been standing only moments ago.
“Did you happen to see the code he used to get into the safe?” | asked Alex, who was standing beside me with a confused look. on his face.
“Samantha, I couldnt see anything from my hiding spot. I
Chapter Twenty for Hide and Seak
spent the entire time praying to the moon goddess to hurry him.
on his way,” Alex whispered defensively.
“The antidote is in here, I know it,” I huffed, frustration building at the wall between me and Theos cure.
I pushed the loose trim and the hidden compartment hissed open, revealing the pad requiring a four–digit code. There was little doubt in my mind about what the numbers would be. Thoughts of Venessa filled my mind, father always had favored her. She was the perfect daughter, and her birthday had always. been celebrated like a holiday by the Dark Moon pack.
“Do you know what it is?” Alex nervously whispered, shooting glances back at the closed door.
His anxiety made me nervous, but I understood it. At any moment someone could have walked through the door and caught us red–handed.
“I think so. Theres only one thing I think it could be, and that ♦♦s Mias birth date,” I replied, punching in the
corresponding numbers.
I hit the button to lock in the code, but the pad beeped twice and a red light came on.
Alex jumped and his eyes shot toward the door. “What did you
chapter Twenty–Shc Hide and Seek
do?”
“Shit,” I spat through clenched teeth. “I put in the wrong code. It
looks like we only get three tries to get this thing open. Don→→
t ask me what happens if we get all three wrong. It could
explode, go into lockdown, or set off a round of alarms.”
“Okay, well, let’s not do that again,” Alex replied sarcastically.
“Any other guesses?”
“What would you use as a code?” I asked, trying not to sound.
too annoyed.
“My birthday.”
I rolled my eyes, not thinking clearly through all the stress. “I don
◆t think my father would know your birthday, Alex.”
He looked at me as if trying to figure out if I was being serious
or not.
“Not My birthday, Samantha, try HIS birth date,” he explained
with a chuckle.
“Im glad youre finding this amusing because Im not. You have me so stressed out I cant think straight,” I lectured, punching in my fathers birth numbers.
I closed my eyes and pressed the button only to hear another
chapter Twenty Sic Hide and Seek
loud beep. I glanced up and found a second red dot had joined
the first one. Alex shook his head and let out a deep sigh at the
failed second attempt.
I felt so defeated. I only had one more chance to get it right, or
no cure for Theo. It could take me forever to figure out the right
combination to create a strong enough antidote for his Alpha
blood. Would my father have written down the code and placed
it somewhere?
“We should look around and see if he has the passcode written
down,” I announced, turning around to check his desk.
Before I got to open any drawers, Alex gently grabbed my arm.
“What❖❖s wrong?” I asked, glancing up at him.
Alex looked upset and a little irritated. “Theo just mind–linked
and said we need to get back to the party. Both of us.”
My stomach dropped. I just needed a few more minutes to
search around. Leaving didnt feel like an option when we
were so close to finding a cure that I know will work for Theo.
Alex could see the defiance on my face and he shook his head
in reply.
“We need to go, now.”
My whole body slumped over as I sighed in disappointment.
Chapter Twenty Box Hide and Seek
Alex took my hand and led me toward the door. It didnt feel fair to have to give up on my search when I was so close. Alex made sure the hall was clear and we quickly made our way out. I glanced back one more time before closing the door. What am I missing? What could it be?
