CHAPTER 64

CHAPTER 64
RAUL'S POV


After Benjamin had left. Marissa and I decided to have breakfast as the maids had already set the table.



We sat at the breakfast table, but neither of us had much appetite. I noticed as Marissa was absentmindedly pushing her food around on her plate, clearly lost in thought. I wasn't much better off, but I forced myself to take a few bites, because my system needed it.



As I took a sip from my cup, Benjamin's voice echoed in my mind through our mindlink. "Alpha, I've got the expert here. He's working on cracking the code."
I nodded my head as if he could see me.



I put my cup down and turned to Marissa. "Benjamin has found an expert to crack the code. I'm going to check on the progress,” I explained, taking a few more bites of my food rushly.



Marissa's eyes lit up with a mixture of hope and determination. "I'm coming with you."



I shook my head gently. "No, Marissa. I need you to stay here. I'll update you as soon as I know anything," I promised her.



She looked ready to argue but then sighed and nodded. "Fine. But send Sabrina over, will you? I don't want to be alone.”




"I will," I promised, giving her a reassuring smile. She forced a smile in return, and I headed out.




When I reached the room where Benjamin and the code expert were working, I took a deep breath before entering. Benjamin looked up as I walked in and introduced me to the expert, a middle-aged man with keen eyes and an air of confidence.



"Alpha Raul, this is Dr. Edmund. He's an expert in cryptography."



I shook Dr. Edmund's hand. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. Have you made any progress?"



Dr. Edmund adjusted his glasses and looked up from his notes. "It's a complicated code, but I'm confident I'll crack it soon.”




"Good to hear," I said, leaning over the table to look at the scribbles and notes he had spread out. "How soon do you think you'll have it cracked?"



Dr. Edmund adjusted his glasses and studied the paper for a moment. "It's hard to say, but I should have it soon. This code uses a layered cipher, which means it has multiple levels of encryption. But I'm confident I can decode it.”




I nodded, appreciating his confidence. "Please keep at it. Time is of the essence."



He nodded and turned back to his work. Benjamin gave me a reassuring look. "We'll get it done, Alpha. You can count on us."



"I know," I said, clapping a hand on Benjamin's shoulder. "I trust you.”



I stepped back, giving Dr. Edmund the space he needed to work. As I waited, I couldn’t help but think about Marissa back at the house. I pulled out my phone and texted Sabrina, asking her to go stay with Marissa. Within minutes, she responded, letting me know she was on her way.



After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Edmund looked up from his notes, a triumphant smile on his face. "I've got it."




My heart raced. "What does it say?”




Dr. Edmund laid out the decoded message. "It's a set of coordinates and a time. It looks like a meeting place."



"Coordinates and time?" I repeated, thinking aloud. "Where does it lead?" I asked




He adjusted his glasses, a serious expression on his face. "It leads to a safe house around an old warehouse on the outskirts of town.”




My heart sank. It was the same address the guy we met with Marissa had given us as Damien's location. The realization of Liana's betrayal hit me hard, my hands clenched into fists. A part of me had trusted her words, that she had no connection with Damien but this had proven to me that I was wrong to trust her.




She has a lot of explaining to do, but I'll deal with her later, I thought. Right now, I had to prepare and storm Damien's warehouse. It's time he paid for his wrong doings.



I turned to Benjamin, my resolve firm. "Prepare the best team for this mission. We're moving out soon."



Benjamin nodded, moving to get everything ready. I mindlinked Marissa to update her on the situation.



"Marissa, the code has been cracked. It was a coordinate that leads to the same place Damien's friend mentioned, and there was also a specific time. My hunch tells me it's a time set for a meeting between Damien and Liana. We need to act quickly.”



“What are you planning on doing?” She asked.



“I have spoken with Benjamin to get a team ready, I'm planning on attacking today,” I responded, running my hand through my hair.




"I want to go with you," She let out, her determination clear in her voice. "I have questions that need answers and only Uncle Damien has the answers to those questions."




I didn't argue. I understood her need for closure. "Alright. I'll be home soon, and we'll prepare together.”




With everything set in motion, I left the room and headed back to the house. The moment I opened the door, I came face to face with Marissa, who looked like she was waiting for me, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and resolve.



"We need to be ready for anything," I said, taking her hands in mine. "This could get dangerous."



"I know," she replied, squeezing my hands. "But I can't stay behind. I need to face this with you, I need to face uncle Damien."



I nodded, respecting her decision. "Let's get prepared then.”



We gathered our gear, the weight of the upcoming confrontation heavy on our shoulders. As we geared up, Sabrina walked in on us, ready to assist in any way she could.



"Are you sure about this? From what I have heard, this could be very dangerous, Marissa," Sabrina asked, concern etched on her face.



Marissa sighed, and moved towards where Sabrina stood. She took Sabrina's hand into her.
"I need to do this, Sab. Not just for my sake, for everyone that had gone through something because of that evil Damien,” Marissa replied firmly.



Sabrina nodded her head, wiping the drop of tear that threatened to fall off her eyes before hugging Marissa.
“Please be careful, Marissa, Raul and be safe,” She whispered and we both nodded.



With everything set, we headed out, joining the rest of the team. The drive to the warehouse was tense, the air thick with anticipation. I could feel Marissa's anxiety, but her resolve was unshaken.




As we approached the warehouse, I signaled for the team to spread out and move in cautiously. The building loomed ahead, its dark silhouette a stark contrast against the night sky. My senses were on high alert, every sound amplified in the silence.




We entered the warehouse, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation.
Weird enough everywhere seemed quite unlike the warning word I have heard of the place being heavily guarded.
Marissa looked at me from where she stood, her gaze looking as confused as I am.




I was about to alert the team when suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. From the description Marissa had given of Damien, I knew he was the one, his eyes were cold and calculating.




"Welcome, Alpha Raul, Marissa" He sneered. "I've been expecting you.”