Elara POV

“Elara’s right,” Kane says charmingly. “We must hurry. Stay between us, we’ll conceal your scent.”

“You’ll also conceal my will to live,” Selena says, swallowing hard and covering her mouth. “I might stop breathing.”

“Also, no talking,” I say sternly. “There are guards everywhere.”

“Can we go?” Mother asks, her voice small and squeaky with anxiety.

“Please,” Kane smiles, and points in the direction we are going.

We walk in silence from shadow to shadow until we are close to the border.

“Axel, are you close?” Kane mind links with him. “We need a distraction to get out.”

“I’m taking a detour, brother,” he replies a moment later, sounding exhausted. “I have a wolf on my tail, and I’m heading for the human city.”

“Be safe,” I reply quickly, anxious about his safety. “And don’t worry about us. I’ll create a distraction.”

I look at Kane, and I can tell he worries about his brother, as well.

“What now?” Mother whispers in my ear.

“Get behind the tree,” I reply softly. “Get naked, and ready to shift. Wait for my signal.”

“I’ll shift and run,” Kane says, looking at me. “Once they follow me, get them out of here.”

“I would’ve kissed you right now if you weren’t stinking,” I smile, squeezing his hand.

“And I would’ve enjoyed it if you weren’t stinking,” he grins.

“Good luck,” I whisper. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” he replies.

My heart pounds wildly when he lets go of my hand and steps forward. Silently, I pray to the Moon Goddess to keep my mates and family safe.

I take a second to admire Kane’s magnificent wolf when he shifts before I take cover.

“Do you smell that?” A guard asks, sniffing the air.

“I do,” another replies. “Be alert! We have company.”

I close my eyes, gathering my power into my hands and start a small whirlwind in front of Kane. It grows stronger and bigger, and I direct it towards the guards. I knock two out of the way, and Kane charges forward.

I move the whirlwind to the side where more guards are coming from, giving Kane an opening to cross the border.

“What the fuck?” One shouts. “Is that ...”

“Alpha Kane!” The leader shouts. “Don’t just stand there, get him!”

Guards shift and follow Kane. I direct the whirlwind between them and Kane, throwing dirt everywhere and obscuring their view.

“There must be a witch around here somewhere,” the leader shouts. “Somebody is helping him, and it’s not Mother Nature. Spread out and find her.”

“Sir, if we go, this part of the border will no longer be secured,” one protests.

“Do you smell a witch around here, Simon?” The leader snaps. “I said, move out and find her!”

“Yes, sir,” he mutters, turns around and runs into the woods.

I wait until the leader is alone and standing with his back towards me, before I silently step towards him. I drop my fangs, move forward with lightning speed. I grab him around the neck from behind, cover his mouth, and sink my teeth into his neck. His muffled screams echo in my head until he finally loses consciousness and drops to the dirt.

“Now!” I hiss over my shoulder, and Mother and Selena’s wolves step out from behind the tree.

I shift, and the three of us run into the woods.

“We’re out,” I mind link Kane and Axel as I lead the way towards Mason. “Are you okay?”

“I’m right behind you,” Kane replies. “You’ll see and smell me in a minute. And no, I’m not being followed. Your whirlwind took them in a different direction.”

“Braden and I are with Mason,” Axel replies. “The coast is clear, and the engine is running.”

Thank Goddess, I sigh inwardly. I was so nervous about this, but it went smoothly. All that is left is getting to the truck safely.

From out of nowhere, a wolf jumps in front of me, but before I can react, Kane crashes into him. They roll in the dirt, snapping and biting at each other.

“Elara, keep going,” Kane orders when I stop to help. “There could be others. Get your mother and Selena to the truck.”

“I’m coming back for you,” I reply, as we run past him, and my heart wants to break for leaving him there. It feels wrong. It feels like I am abandoning him when he needs me.

“Elara, I’m coming,” Axel says. “He’ll be okay.”

“Thank you,” I reply, relieved.

A second later, I see Axel, and he rushes past us towards Kane. Instantly, my nerves calm down, and I lead my family to the truck.

“Get in,” I order them once I have shifted back.

Mother and Selena shift and get into the truck without wasting time getting dressed.

“You should, too,” Mason shouts.

“Not without my mates,” I snap, glaring at him. Just because I can control my emotions around him does not mean I am no longer furious at him. I would like nothing more than to kick his ass for what he has done to me, but my family takes priority over my need for justice. “Keep them safe, Mason.”

“Your family will be safe,” Braden nods, understanding my need to help my mates.

“Elara, you should ...”

“I said. Keep. Them. Safe.” I hiss, shift and run back.

It feels like an eternity before I reach them, but when I get there, Kane and Axel are towering over three dead wolves.

“Holy shit,” I mutter, staring at the bodies.

“I guess they finally caught up on our scent,” Axel replies.

“We should get out of here,” Kane says. “Before more of them catch up to us.”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “We don’t want the Council to charge you with more murders.”

We turn around and run back together, and even though the danger is not over, I feel good. Running side by side with my mates is a luxury I have not experienced before.

We reach the truck, and the suspension creaks when the three of us jump onto the back in wolf form. But there is not nearly enough space for three wolves, so I shift back.

“Go,” I slap on the roof, and Mason takes off.

Kane and Axel shift back, and we find a seat.

“Fuck,” Axel groans, moving away from us. “I love you two, but not nearly as much to sit so close.”

“But I promised you a hug,” I smile wickedly, climbing onto his lap.

“Elara, no!” He protests, fighting to get away from me, but I cling to him.

“Bro, just be happy she’s not kissing you,” Kane laughs.