Chapter 300

The countdown in the villa showed only seven days remaining.

Miles Sutton paced anxiously across the living room, his forehead breaking out in angry red blemishes. The rest of the team fidgeted, their eyes darting toward the windows.

"Aria, aren’t you worried at all?" Miles asked for the umpteenth time.

Aria Bennett steeped her tea with deliberate calm, the fragrant steam curling in the air. "Why rush? What’s meant to come will come."

Ronan Caldwell accepted a cup, his fingers tracing the rim. "The clues are right in front of us. You just haven’t seen them yet."

Ezra Vaughn raked a hand through his hair, sending a few strands floating to the floor. "But time isn’t on our side!"

A sharp beep cut through the tension—the walkie-talkie crackled to life.

Lieutenant Carter’s voice came through, urgent. "Miss Bennett, emergency mission."

Aria’s lips curved as she gave the team a knowing glance. "See? Right on schedule."

"Sanctuary Base needs an escort for Dr. Emmett Shaw to collect a rare plant in the outskirts—rumored to be tied to the cure. Departure at dawn tomorrow. We’d like your team to join."

"No problem," Aria answered smoothly.

The moment the transmission ended, silence swallowed the room.

Miles gaped. "You knew this was coming?"

"Lucky guess." She took a sip. "Every game needs an ending."

Ronan set his cup down with a crisp clink. "This mission is our final chance."

Night fell. The villa’s doorbell rang.

Ronan answered, unsurprised to find several squad leaders outside. "Here to team up?"

"Exactly," the lead captain nodded. "Strength in numbers."

Aria rose from the couch, her skirt swaying gracefully. "Sorry, but we don’t need it."

The visitors froze. "Why? We can share intel—"

"Because," Aria smiled, bright and razor-sharp, "real hunters don’t partner with their prey."