Chapter 29

TWENTY-NINE

“ I t means,” Natalie explained, “that the formula doesn’t just enhance abilities - it optimizes them according to each individual’s genetic potential. For shifters like you, it could amplify your natural strengths. For humans...” She trailed off, the implications hitting her. “Oh God.”

“What?” Marcus’s grip tightened.

“That’s why they want it so badly.” She started pacing, mind whirling. “Think about it - a formula that could unlock hidden genetic potential? The military applications alone would be astronomical. Super soldiers, enhanced operatives...”

“And in the wrong hands,” Emily added grimly, “it could be weaponized.”

Natalie stopped abruptly. “I need to destroy it.”

“What?” Both Vale siblings spoke in unison.

“The formula, my research, all of it.” She ran shaky fingers through her hair. “I wanted to help people find love, not create some sci-fi super-serum. This is too dangerous.”

Marcus caught her shoulders, stopping her nervous movement. “Breathe, sweetheart.”

“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me when I’m having an ethical crisis.” But she leaned into his touch despite her words. “I’m serious, Marcus. What I created... it could change everything. And not necessarily for the better.”

“Or,” Emily interjected, “in the right hands, it could help people. Think about the medical applications - helping people heal faster, strengthening immune systems...”

“The risk is too high.”

“Nothing worth doing comes without risk.” Marcus’s voice held quiet conviction. “You’re brilliant, Natalie. If anyone can figure out how to use this safely, it’s you.”

She looked up at him, finding unwavering faith in his eyes. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I know you.” His thumb brushed her cheek. “And I’ve never met anyone with a bigger heart or sharper mind.”

“Ugh, you two are disgustingly cute.” Emily made gagging sounds. “But he’s right. Don’t let fear of what could go wrong stop you from doing something amazing.”

Natalie’s reply was cut off by her phone chiming. She pulled up her encrypted email, eyes widening at the new message.

“The algorithm I set up to track our mole just pinged. There’s been another access attempt - someone trying to get into my backup servers.” She went to the computer on his desk and quickly pulled up the tracing program. “They’re good, but not good enough. I can track the signal if...”

Her fingers flew across the keyboard, following digital breadcrumbs. Marcus and Emily watched in silence as she worked, their presence grounding her racing thoughts.

“Got you,” she breathed finally. “They’re using a remote terminal in... Marcus, this can’t be right.”

He leaned over her shoulder. “Where?”

“Your corporate building. The signal’s coming from Vale Corp headquarters, executive floor.” She turned to face him. “Someone high up in your company is working against us.”

Marcus’s expression hardened to granite. “Jax get in here. Now.”

“Want me to initiate lockdown protocols at the main offices?” Emily asked.

“Not yet. We don’t want to tip our hand.” He focused on Natalie. “Can you track exactly which terminal they’re using?”

“Give me five minutes.” She cracked her knuckles, diving back into the code. “Though technically, given the complexity of the encryption and the multiple proxy servers they’re routing through, a more accurate estimate would be-“

“Natalie.”

“Right. Less talking, more hacking.” She grinned up at him. “Though I feel compelled to point out that your ‘command voice’ is significantly less intimidating when I know how easily you melt when I do that thing with my-“

“Focus.” But his lips twitched. “Before I’m forced to silence you again.”

“Is that supposed to be a deterrent? Because from a motivational psychology standpoint-“

Marcus’s growl of frustration was music to her ears.

Jax arrived as Natalie’s program zeroed in on the source terminal, his usual easy grin replaced by focused intensity. “What’ve we got?”

“Our mole’s using an executive terminal,” Marcus explained, pacing behind Natalie’s chair. “Someone with high-level access.”

“Got it!” Natalie’s triumphant cry drew them all closer. “Terminal 47-B, registered to... Liam Stone. Head of Security Operations.”

Marcus went utterly still. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as his expression darkened to something dangerous. “You’re sure?”

“The data doesn’t lie.” She pulled up more details. “He’s been accessing my research files through back channels, copying data packets to an external server. The transmission signatures match the warehouse activity.”

“Son of a bitch.” Jax’s normal humor vanished. “I trained him myself.”

“Wait.” Emily held up a hand. “Isn’t he scheduled for the midnight security sweep?”

Marcus checked his watch - 10:47 PM. “If he’s smart, he’ll use that sweep to cover his extraction. Private server access, minimal cameras...”

“Then we need to move now.” Natalie stood, determination overriding her fatigue. “If he gets those files off-site-“

“No.” Marcus’s voice brooked no argument. “You’re staying here where it’s safe.”

“Like hell I am.” She planted her hands on her hips. “We’ve already been through this.”

“Natalie-“

“Don’t ‘Natalie’ me in that tone.” She jabbed a finger at his chest. “I’m coming. You can either work with me or I’ll find my own way after you leave.”

Jax coughed to hide what sounded suspiciously like a laugh. “She’s got you there, boss.”

Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’ll stay behind us.”

“Of course.”

“And follow my lead.”

“Naturally.”

“And if I tell you to run-“

“I’ll consider it strongly while doing whatever I think is best.” She smiled sweetly at his growl. “That’s the best offer you’re getting, Alpha.”

“Impossible woman.”

“Overprotective wolf.”

“If you two are done with the foreplay,” Emily interrupted, “we have a traitor to catch.”

Heat flooded Natalie’s cheeks, but she noticed Marcus’s ears had gone slightly pink too. Jax’s shoulders shook with silent laughter as he checked his weapon.

They took separate cars to Vale Corp - Marcus and Natalie in his Audi, Jax and Emily following in an unmarked SUV. The city streets gleamed with recent rain, reflections of neon signs creating abstract patterns on the wet asphalt.