Elara POV

Thank Goddess, I can look Mason in the eye and not feel any urges towards him. I followed him out of guilt, but I was terrified that I might suffer another experience.

I do not trust Mason. In all honesty, I cannot even tell anymore if I like him as a person. But I must practice what I preach and be fair. Mason has a point. He is trying. Maybe not hard enough, according to me and my mates, but he is. He has made sacrifices and stuck his neck out for us. At the very least, we can respect that.

“I know I’m taking a risk,” I say patiently. “But I’m not being reckless. As crazy as it sounds, this is the least dangerous way to get inside. I’m sorry if you disapprove, but I’m doing it.”

Mason looks at me for so long and so intensely that the air around us thickens. There is so much emotion in his eyes that I cannot tell what he is thinking or what he is going to do.

“Fine, go,” he grunts, crossing his arms. “I won’t stand in your way.”

“Aren’t you coming?” I frown. It is not like I want or need him to come, but my gut tells me it is better to have him around than not. At least we can keep tabs on him when he is around. “I want you to come, Mason.”

“I don’t know,” he huffs, pushes past me, and I stare at his back as he enters the cottage. I cannot explain it, but I feel sorry for him. It must be terrible and lonely to be the outcast.

Mason POV

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I walk into the bathroom and slam the door shut. I was so close, so fucking close, and now this.

I must figure something out to keep Elara safe. I should warn the Council. If they know Kane and Axel are going to be there, they can capture them. On the other hand, if the Council comes here, Elara has a better chance of succeeding in whatever they are planning.

Fuck! I do not even know their plans. How am I supposed to make an informed decision if I do not have all the facts?

With my hands on my hips, I close my eyes and take a deep breath to collect myself. Okay, if I want Elara alive and in love with me, I must go with them and keep her safe. Who knows, I might get lucky, and my brothers will be killed.

I take out my phone and dial Asher.

“I can’t really talk right now,” he whispers without answering. “I’m still in Constantine’s borders.”

“This can’t wait,” I bark. “My idiot brothers and Elara are entering Constantine tonight.”

“Give me a second,” he whispers, and I listen to his footsteps for a few moments.

“Okay,” he says. “I’m alone in a bathroom. Make it quick.”

“Are you still at the Council?” I ask.

“Yeah, and I don’t know how I’m going to get out of here,” he says, sounding terrified. “Gustav wants me to join tonight to catch your brothers.”

“You’ll be fine,” I say calmly, but I could be lying; I do not know how long the potion will last. “Because things changed.”

“Again?” He hisses. “Can’t you make a plan and stick to it?”

“Don’t you think I feel the same?” I growl. “It’s not me, it’s them. They only told me when I returned. I don’t know what they’re planning, but they won’t be here when the Council’s guards arrive tonight.”

“Ah, shit,” Asher replies. “Mason, I saw the monsters they created, and the Council is using them tonight to find your brothers. It’s fucking scary. They’ll definitely kill your brothers, but I’m afraid they won’t stop there. Those things will skin a puppy on order. You’d better get out of there and clear your tracks. If those things get your scent, they’ll track you down. No doubt.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, pushing my fingers through my hair. What if those things get hold of Elara? And I cannot warn her about this because I cannot explain how I know. However, one thing is certain: I must go with Elara and help her out of this mess.

“Okay, Asher, don’t worry,” I sigh. “We’ll be there before you leave, anyway. When the shit hits the fan, get out of there. I’ll worry about myself and Elara. The rest can fuck themselves.”

“Good luck to both of us,” Asher mutters, and kills the call.

With trembling fingers, I put my phone in my pocket. I was upset earlier about Elara’s plan, but now I am simply scared. As a rogue, Asher has seen more than most wolves, and when he says it is bad, it must be horrifying.

I wash my face and hurry back to the truck. Braden is getting behind the wheel while Elara and her mates get onto the back.

“Mason, you’re here,” Elara smiles.

“Yeah,” I sigh. “So, what are we doing?”

“We’re breaking Mindy and her mates out,” she replies. “Get in, and let’s go.”

Reluctantly, I get into the passenger seat. I have less to say to Braden than to my brothers, and I am too worried to talk, anyway. So, we drive in silence to Constantine. He parks the truck out of sight, and everyone gets out.

“So, what do you want me to do?” I ask, looking at Elara.

“You should stay with Axel and Kane, and wait for my signal,” she replies.

“Elara,” I say, taking her hand, and her mates look at me with irritation, but I do not care about them or the fact that she is covered in shit. “Remember what Braden told us about the test subjects?”

“Yes,” she replies, frowning. “What about them?”

“Just ... be alert, okay?” I reply. “The Council might’ve brought them here already. We don’t know.”

“Oh, shit, he’s right,” Braden says, his eyes wide in horror. “Maybe we should abort.”

“No,” Elara says determined, looking at Braden. “That’s more reason to do this. If they’re here, I’ll warn you.”

“I don’t like this,” Kane grunts.

“Neither do I,” Axel adds. “Reconsidering wouldn’t be the worst idea.”

“I’m going,” Elara insists. “Maxim and Monroe would’ve done it for you. We can’t keep postponing this.”

“Okay,” Kane says nervously. “Good luck.”

“And please stay alive,” Axel pleads.

“That’s the plan,” she smiles before she and Braden run off.