The moment Vivian's boots hit the tunnel floor, the air felt different.
Colder.
Heavier.
Above her, the shattered dock groaned under the weight of the collapsed crane. Dust drifted down through the cracks like ash.
Marcus Hale stepped closer, studying her like a man examining a rare weapon.
"Brave," he said calmly. "Or reckless."
Vivian didn't answer.
Behind Marcus, the wolves inside the cages were still trembling from the electric shocks. Some growled weakly. Others lay completely still.
The silver collars around their necks hummed faintly.
Vivian's jaw tightened.
"You said you'd stop hurting them."
Marcus glanced over his shoulder.
Then he pressed a button on the remote.
The collars went silent.
The wolves slowly stopped howling.
Vivian forced herself to breathe.
Above the tunnel opening, Jamo's voice echoed down like thunder.
"Vivian, get away from him."
Marcus chuckled.
"You should really listen to your Alpha."
Vivian shot him a sharp look.
"He's not my Alpha."
Marcus raised an eyebrow slightly.
"That's not what it looks like from up here."
Lucas appeared at the edge of the broken pier beside Jamo, his face tight with anger.
"Marcus," Lucas said. "Let her go."
Marcus tilted his head.
"You're not exactly in a position to give orders."
He gestured casually.
Guards stepped out from the shadows behind Vivian.
Rifles aimed upward toward the dock.
Toward Jamo.
Toward Lucas.
Marcus looked back at Vivian.
"You see the situation."
Vivian crossed her arms.
"You dragged me down here to admire your cages?"
Marcus smiled faintly.
"No."
He gestured deeper into the tunnel.
"Walk with me."
Vivian didn't move.
Marcus sighed.
"You want the wolves free, don't you?"
Her eyes flicked toward the cages again.
Then she followed him.
The tunnel stretched farther underground than she expected.
Industrial lights buzzed overhead.
Metal doors lined the concrete walls.
This wasn't a temporary setup.
This place had been built for something long-term.
Vivian spoke quietly as they walked.
"How many wolves have you taken?"
Marcus answered without hesitation.
"Eighty-seven."
Her stomach twisted.
"And what happens to them?"
Marcus stopped walking.
He turned toward her slowly.
"They become soldiers."
Vivian frowned.
"You're brainwashing them."
Marcus smiled thinly.
"I'm improving them."
Vivian almost laughed.
"You're insane."
Marcus didn't react.
Instead, he opened one of the metal doors beside them.
Inside was another room.
Different from the cages.
This one looked like a lab.
Machines lined the walls.
Silver restraints hung from metal frames.
Vivian's pulse quickened.
"What is this place?"
Marcus leaned casually against the doorway.
"Evolution."
Vivian stared at the equipment.
"You're experimenting on them."
Marcus nodded once.
"The packs are weak because they rely on instinct and tradition."
His eyes sharpened.
"I'm building wolves who obey strategy."
Vivian's voice dropped dangerously.
"You're torturing them."
Marcus's tone hardened.
"I'm perfecting them."
Above the tunnel, a loud crash echoed.
Jamo had clearly started fighting again.
Marcus sighed.
"That Alpha is impatient."
Vivian's eyes flicked upward.
"Maybe because you kidnapped his wolves."
Marcus shrugged.
"They're resources."
Vivian suddenly moved.
Her knife flashed into her hand and pressed directly against Marcus's throat.
The guards behind them instantly raised their rifles.
Marcus didn't flinch.
"Careful," he said calmly.
Vivian's voice turned icy.
"Release the wolves."
Marcus smiled slightly despite the blade at his neck.
"Or what?"
She pressed the knife harder.
"Or you die."
Marcus chuckled.
"You think my death would free them?"
Vivian hesitated.
That hesitation was all Marcus needed.
He grabbed her wrist and twisted sharply.
The knife clattered to the floor.
Before Vivian could react, Marcus shoved her backward against the wall.
The guards rushed forward instantly.
But Marcus raised a hand.
"No."
They stopped.
Marcus studied Vivian carefully.
"You're emotional."
Vivian glared at him.
"You're a monster."
Marcus leaned closer.
"And yet you jumped into my trap willingly."
Above them, another explosion rocked the dock.
Lucas had clearly triggered something.
Dust rained down again.
Marcus glanced upward.
"Your friends are running out of time."
Vivian's mind raced.
She looked toward the cages.
Toward the lab.
Toward the guards.
Then she made another controversial decision.
"Fine," she said suddenly.
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"Fine?"
Vivian nodded slowly.
"You want my help controlling them?"
Marcus's interest sharpened.
"Yes."
Vivian took a breath.
"I'll help you."
Marcus studied her carefully.
Lucas's voice suddenly echoed down from above.
"Vivian don't you dare!"
Jamo's voice followed, colder.
"Step away from him."
Vivian ignored both of them.
Marcus tilted his head.
"You're changing sides very quickly."
Vivian met his eyes.
"I'm adapting."
Marcus considered her words.
Then he smiled slowly.
"Good."
He turned toward the cages.
"Then start by proving it."
Vivian frowned.
"How?"
Marcus pointed toward one of the cages.
Inside was a young wolf.
Injured.
Weak.
But still growling.
Marcus handed Vivian the remote control for the collars.
"Break him."
Vivian stared at the device.
"You want me to torture him."
Marcus shrugged.
"Train him."
Above the tunnel opening, Jamo roared furiously.
"Vivian don't do it!"
Lucas shouted too.
"He's manipulating you!"
Marcus watched her quietly.
"Your decision."
Vivian looked at the wolf inside the cage.
Its eyes met hers.
Fear.
Pain.
Anger.
Her hand tightened around the remote.
The guards watched closely.
Marcus waited patiently.
Then Vivian pressed the button.
The collar sparked.
The wolf screamed.
Above the tunnel
Jamo went completely silent.
Lucas whispered in disbelief,
"Oh my God…"
Marcus smiled slowly.
"Good."
Then he leaned close to Vivian again and whispered something that froze her blood.
"Now the Alpha will come down here to save them."
Marcus's smile widened.
"And that's exactly where I want him."
Above them
Jamo suddenly jumped into the tunnel.
Straight into Marcus's trap.