All Chapters of Caught Between Two Men And The Apocalypse : Chapter 71 - Chapter 78

Natasha stepped into the New bakery of Thomas and Sarah, the bakery smelled like what it produces, warm bread, butter, and sugar. For a moment, Natasha stood by the open doorway and allowed herself to breathe it in. It still amazed her that something as ordinary as fresh bread could make the world feel less broken. Six months ago, this building had been an empty storefront with shattered windows and a collapsed ceiling. Now it sat at the center of New Haven’s western extension residential district, bright and warm, with clean glass, polished counters, and shelves full of bread that people lined up for before sunrise. Outside the bakery, life moved through the renovated street with a steady rhythm. Workers pushed carts of building materials toward the next block. Children in school uniforms crossed the road under the guidance of two city guards. Farther down, one of the new electric buses rolled past, carrying people toward the airport district along the cleared main road. New Haven

“Aaron,” Rowan said carefully, “with respect, this is exactly the kind of mission her team was trained for.” “I said no.” This time the room became heavier. Claire watched silently. Marcus shifted uncomfortably. Dax looked between Natasha and Aaron and wisely said nothing. But Rowan took one slow breath. “Commander, I am sorry, but right now you are speaking as her lover.” The silence sharpened, Aaron’s gaze locked on Rowan. Rowan did not flinch. “Right now, I need you to speak as the leader of New Haven.” Natasha felt the weight of the words settle across the room. But Rowan continued, still respectful but firm. “Natasha might be your woman, but she is also the most experienced operative we have for a mission like this. Her team will answer to her in the field because they have done it before. We all have.” Aaron’s jaw tightened. He knew Rowan was right and that was the problem. Natasha stepped forward before the argument could grow. “Rowan is right.” Aaron turned to her,

The helicopters started one after another while the ground crews removed the wheel chocks and the pilots performed their final checks. The sound filled the airport district. Rotor blades turned slowly at first, then faster, cutting through the early morning air with a heavy rhythm that made everyone on the flight line look up. Floodlights still burned around the runway because dawn had not fully broken, but the sky had begun to pale behind the eastern wall of New Haven. Two helicopters stood ready. For months, engineers had repaired them, tested them, argued over them, and guarded every piece of equipment needed to keep them alive. Now the aircraft waited beneath the wide sky, their bodies loaded with soldiers, medical supplies, emergency rations, ammunition, and enough fuel to get them back even if the mission went wrong. Natasha stood beside the first helicopter with her rifle strapped across her chest. Her team was already boarding. Rowan climbed in first, followed by Dax, N

Claire moved with the New Haven soldiers, shouting orders that sharpened their line. Rowan directed the left flank. Marcus and Garrick covered the helicopter zone. Nyra dropped to one knee and began firing controlled shots, not wasting ammunition, aiming for joints and eyes. The arsenal soldiers fought too. They were disciplined, but tired. And frightened. Natasha could see it. They had faced these creatures before and lost men to them. A Night Hunter launched itself toward the outer barricade, crossing open ground with terrifying speed. The wall guns followed it, but too slow. It hit one of the lower barricades, climbed, and lunged toward a young arsenal soldier positioned near a damaged gate post. The soldier froze. Natasha moved. She ran before anyone could stop her. “Natasha!” Rowan shouted. She crossed the open ground fast, lifted her rifle and fired twice. The first shot struck the creature’s shoulder. The second hit its side. It barely slowed. The Night Hunter chang