Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Against the Clock

The moment Leo staggered back, I rushed to his side without thinking.

“Leo! Are you okay?” I grabbed his arm to steady him.

Instantly, a wave of perfume hit me, causing my breath to stutter in surprise. My heart skipped a beat unnaturally. This feeling. It was almost like—

“I’m fine,” he gritted out, though his face was contorted slightly in pain.

His ears had turned increasingly red, and his breathing was labored. The needle was still sticking out of his forearm where he’d intercepted it before it could pierce my skin. A thin trickle of amber liquid was dripping down his skin.

Behind us, Levi moved with lightning speed. Before Esther could retreat, he had her in a chokehold, his muscular arm wrapped around her throat. Her eyes bulged as she clawed at him.

“Tell your people to stand down,” Levi growled, tightening his grip just enough to make his point, “or I snap your neck right here.”

The guards hesitated, looking to Esther for direction. Her face was turning an alarming shade of red.

Leo winced as he looked at me. “Hazel, there’s a button under the desk. Press it. Now.”

“What?” I asked, confused by his sudden instruction.

“Just do it!” he barked.

I hesitated, meeting his intense gaze. Despite everything, I trusted him.

to the desk, dropped to my knees, and felt underneath the surface. My fingers found a small rectangular button set into the wood. Without

began flashing throughout the room, and

PERSONNEL EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. TEN MINUTES TO COMPLETE

have you done?!” she screeched, renewing her struggles against Levi’s

running for the exits. In the face of impending destruction, they couldn’t care less about Esther’s well-being. It was every

grunted, plucking the needle from his arm with a wince. “You need to

you?” Lucas demanded, already moving to

I need to take care of,”

wait!” I protested, pulling against Lucas’s grip. “We can’t leave without

dragging me toward the exit. Levi had taken hold of Esther, forcing her along with us, while Liam and Lucas

Lucas said firmly.

blaring, the automated countdown continuing its ominous announcement. We pushed our way through the throng, heading for the stairwell that would take us to

shuddered beneath our feet, and dust rained down from the

at random,” Liam shouted over the noise. “We

up our pace, racing down corridors as the building continued to shake. The second wave of explosions came just as we reached a junction in the hallway. The force was much stronger this time, sending ripples through

free above us. Lucas shoved me forward just as it crashed down between us, creating an impassable barrier of rubble

voice from the other side. “Are

fine!” I called back, my voice shaking. “But I

Lucas commanded. “We’ll

their voices growing fainter as they moved away to find an alternate route. I stood there for a moment, my heart pounding, before making

had taken that needle for me. He’d sacrificed himself to protect me, and I couldn’t just leave him behind to die. Besides, I realized

one thing Leo would stay in