Chase's Promise: A Tale of Love and Valor

Chapter 13

Chase's POV

The night was cold when I finally arrived at the facility. It stood tall and ominous in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by towering trees and complete darkness. The headlights of the truck barely cut through the black as I stepped out, my boots crunching on the gravel.

As I approached the entrance, the staff greeted me with quiet efficiency—no questions, just business. They directed me to a personal room where I could rest for the night. Everything was sterile, too clean, and it made me uneasy. They told me my briefing would come in the morning, and I was left alone to gather my thoughts.

Inside the room, I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. The full black uniform clung to me—black tactical gear with a sleek helmet and a mask. Three silver lines stitched into my shoulder marked my rank: Chief of Security. It felt heavy, not just the gear but the weight of this role. I was stepping deep into enemy territory, and no one here knew my true intentions.

The morning came quickly, and I was briefed on my role: oversee all security, ensure smooth operations, and monitor the movements inside the lab. They talked about protocols, escape routes, and securing high-value assets. They didn't mention the pups.

I spent the day walking through the halls of this cold, sterile place, pretending to fit in while my eyes scanned every inch of it. The guards, the cameras, the locked doors—they all seemed normal to anyone else. But I knew what was hiding behind this facility's facade.

With each step, my mind raced. Skye was here somewhere, and I had to find her. Time was running out, and I couldn't afford any mistakes.

Skye's POV

The days had blurred into one endless cycle of misery. My body ached from the cold metal of the cage, and I could feel my strength slipping away. The guards fed us just enough to keep us alive, but my energy was dwindling. Every night I lay in the cramped space, curled up with nothing but fear and dread to keep me company.

I had only 12 days left—12 days before whatever was coming for me happened. They hadn't been clear, but I knew it was something terrible, something final. I felt it in the way the scientists watched us, their cold eyes scanning my body like I was nothing more than an experiment. I overheard them say my time was almost up, that soon the tests would begin. What those tests were, I couldn't say, but the fear gnawed at me.

Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, I overheard two guards talking outside my cage. Their voices were low, but I caught enough to understand that a new set of guards had arrived at the facility. They seemed tense, talking about how the new chief of security was the most experienced and deadly dog they'd ever worked with. My heart sank at those words. The thought of being under the control of someone even more ruthless than the ones already here made my skin crawl.

Chase's face flashed in my mind—his promise, his determination—but the hope I had held onto so tightly was slipping away. I hadn't heard from him. My collar, once my lifeline to him, was still offline. No messages. No rescue. I tried to stay strong, tried to believe that he would find me, that he would keep his promise. But how could he? He didn't even know where I was.

I was losing faith, losing hope. Maybe he'd forgotten me. Maybe this was it—maybe I'd never see the light of day again. Tears stung at the corners of my eyes as I curled up in my cage, staring at the cold, unforgiving walls.

Twelve days left. Twelve days until something horrible happened, and I couldn't stop it. And for the first time, I wasn't sure Chase would be there to save me.

Chase's POV

The tension in the air was palpable as I paced my small office within the facility. It had been two grueling days since I arrived at ShadowPaws Pharmaceuticals under the guise of being the new Chief of Security. I had spent every moment observing the staff, gathering intel, and trying to piece together the operations of this dark place.