Chapter 105

Chapter 105
Nickolas nodded, his storm\-grey eyes meeting Ioannis's with understanding that flowed through their bond. "First light would be wiser. The search teams can maintain perimeter positions through the night to ensure no one else approaches them."

Ioannis wanted to argue but recognised the logic in his assessment. Stumbling around mountain trails in darkness wouldn't help Ellie and Micha. The pendant's warmth remained steady against her skin, neither encouraging nor discouraging.

"I want to be ready to join the forward team at dawn," she said, compromise in her tone. "And we should bring prototype toys with us. If Lucas's reaction is any indication, they might help establish trust."

"Agreed," Nickolas said, his hand finding the small of her back in a supportive gesture that sent warmth flowing through their bond. "I'll have the twins prepare special versions immediately."

Federico confirmed the plan before signing off, leaving them in the quiet of their suite once more. Ioannis returned to the window, her gaze drawn to the eastern ridge where, somewhere out there, were two pups that were running for their lives from humans that should have seen them as what they are, children, but instead, they saw them as something to control.

A chill ran through Ioannis at the thought that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room.

"What would drive humans to do this?" Ioannis whispered, pressing her fingertips against the cold glass. "To steal children and treat them like lab specimens?"

Nickolas moved beside her, his warmth a stark contrast to the chill of the window. "Fear, most likely. Humans have always feared what they don't understand."

"This is beyond fear," she said. "This is calculated. Systematic."

The pendant at her throat shifted from cool to warm, pulsing against her skin like a second heartbeat. Ioannis closed her eyes for a moment, trying to imagine what Ellie and Micha might be experiencing right now, children who perhaps had never seen stars before, never felt wind through trees or heard the natural chorus of a forest at night.

"They must be terrified," she murmured. "And yet... there's something extraordinary about Ellie. To orchestrate an escape, to know to mask their scent in water, to head for higher ground, that speaks of remarkable intelligence and resilience."

"If she's managed to keep Micha safe this long, she'll continue to do so until we find them," Nickolas said, his voice carrying that steady certainty that always steadied her own nerves.

A soft knock interrupted their conversation. The twins entered without waiting for a response, both carrying components and tools.

"We heard about the tracks," Brodie said, setting his equipment on the desk. "And we thought you might want these ready for first light."

Miles placed two plush wolves on the table—one deep purple, the other forest green. "Ellie and Micha's companions. We prioritised their production as soon as we left Lucas."

Ioannis approached the toys, running her fingers over the soft fur. The pendant warmed against her skin as she picked up the purple wolf, examining the delicate craftsmanship. "They're perfect."

"We've enhanced their capabilities based on Lucas's information," Brodie explained, adjusting something inside the green wolf. "Additional comfort features activated by signs of distress, heartbeat simulation, warmth generation, even subtle vibration patterns that mimic pack grooming behaviours."

"And we've programmed them to communicate with Shadow," Miles added. "Once united, the three toys will form their own little pack bond, reinforcing the children's connection to each other."

Nickolas examined the toys with his tactical eye. "What about their intelligence gathering capabilities?"

"Still present but secondary," Brodie confirmed. "These are primarily designed for comfort and trust-building. The intelligence components are passive, activated only when the children are ready to share information."

Ioannis cradled the purple wolf, imagining the thirteen-year-old girl who had led younger children to freedom. What strength that must have taken, what courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

"I want to be on the forward search team at first light," she said, looking up at Nickolas. The pendant pulsed with warmth against her skin as she made the decision, like a silent affirmation.

"I expected nothing less," Nickolas replied, his storm\-grey eyes softening as they met hers. Through their bond, she felt his concern mingling with pride, that familiar protective instinct tempered by respect for her determination. "The search coordinator is assembling an all-female forward team to minimise potential trauma for the children."

Miles nodded enthusiastically, adjusting something inside the green wolf's paw. "Smart approach. After what Lucas told us about adult males at the facility, these kids might bolt at the first sight of a man."

"We should bring food too," Ioannis suggested, the practical thought forming as she imagined two hungry children who had been surviving in the wilderness for days. "Something simple and non-threatening. Lucas mentioned they restricted food as punishment for poor performance."

Brodie's expression darkened. "Bastards," he muttered, then quickly composed himself. "Sorry. But using food as a control mechanism for children..."

"It's a common tactic in captivity situations," Nickolas said, his voice clinically detached, though Ioannis could feel his fury simmering through their bond. "Create dependency, reward compliance, punish resistance. Basic conditioning."

Ioannis stroked the purple wolf's fur, imagining it in the arms of a thirteen-year-old girl who had somehow maintained her spirit despite such treatment. The pendant warmed against her skin, pulsing gently as an idea formed.

"I want to bring Lucas with us," she said suddenly, looking up to meet Nickolas's surprised gaze. "Not on the actual search, but nearby in a secure location. If we find Ellie and Micha, seeing their friend might help convince them to trust us."

Through their bond, she felt Nickolas considering the suggestion, his tactical mind weighing risks against potential benefits. "The healers would need to approve. He's still recovering from dehydration and exposure."

"And he might be triggered by returning to the wilderness," Miles pointed out, his usually playful expression serious. "Especially if he believes he might be recaptured."

Ioannis nodded, acknowledging their concerns while the idea crystallised more firmly in her mind. "We'll be guided by the healers' assessment, of course. But Lucas's greatest fear seemed to be for his friends. If he could help save them..."