The Next Queen (2)

Alphas wielding firearms ran through the alley.

The squad leader lifted his arm, signaling everyone to stop. His eyes skimmed the edge of a trash can, searching every dark corner where someone might hide.

Two noisy rats, spooked by the number of people, scampered into the depths of a drain.

The leader looked up and saw an old, battered window above the heap of trash. It was open, and the curtain still swayed.

Squinting, he moved towards it. A single step on the wall, and he easily leapt onto the windowsill, his fingers pressed against the frame as his gaze swept across the empty room.

For a moment, he contemplated searching inside. But then, an annoying emotion swelled within him.

"A girl that small, and a beta at that, couldn't possibly climb in here. What a waste of time," this logical thought flashed through his mind.

"No one here," he leapt down from the windowsill, gestured, and led his team forward.