“Have you lost your mind?” The door was swiftly locked, the invading cold air shut out. “Showing up here in broad daylight endangers us all.”

Looking back at the soldier, Corday deepened his scowl. “It’s dumping snow outside, no one’s on the street and my tracks are already being covered. Where is Senator Kantor?”

“I’m here,” a voice sounded from the dwelling’s back room.

Ignoring the snarling Brigadier Dane, Corday pulled the note out of his pocket and stomped over. “She left.”

Senator Kantor set down his COMscreen and took the note. One brief read over and the old Alpha shook his head. “I’m sorry, Corday. It’s not like we could have locked her up.”

“Claire is going to do something crazy!” Practically tearing out his hair, Corday snarled, “We’ve gotta stop her.”

Senator Kantor shook his head, his tired eyes bloodshot and sad. “We cannot risk exposing ourselves on a manhunt. We both know she recognized we couldn’t help her. Do you understand that, kid?”

“She’s going to get herself killed!”

Speaking in a low voice, the Alpha tried to convey sense and a much needed measure of calm. “The Omega is pregnant, she’s pair-bonded and mentally detached. She doesn’t have much time left, and she knows it.”

Rubbing his forehead as if he could wipe away his frustration, Corday demanded, “What are you saying?”

“I am saying that Claire is fighting what must be a nightmare inside her. Her timeline is short and she is making her choice.”

“I told you. The pair-bond was damaged.”

Senator Kantor dropped the fatherly tone in place for one far more authoritative. “She’s damaged. Her determination is the only thing keeping her together. You try to cage her, or stop her, she’ll fall apart. And that would only open her up to his influence again. It might be best to let her do what she needs to do while she can still do it.”

“We both know she’s going to try to get those Omegas out of the Undercroft,” Corday hissed. “It would take an army and she’s just one girl.”

Senator Kantor fully understood what was at stake. “She has an advantage, a hostage, and you don’t know where she is. Nothing can be done. Believe it or not, my bet’s on her.”

“He’ll KILL her.”

“Read the letter again.” Senator Kantor handed the crumpled page back. “No one can comprehend the consequences like she can. She’s a grown woman who’s made her choice, just like we ask our brothers and sisters in arms to make every day.”

“This is fucking insanity!” Corday stormed out of the room, the note crushed in his grip. “I’m going to find her. I’m going to bring her home.”

Brushing past a frowning Brigadier Dane, Corday found himself caught.