Mason POV

My gut is in turmoil as I watch Axel and Kane silently communicate, and by the look on their faces, it is not good. Something has happened, and I am desperately praying that one of Gustav’s ‘pets’ did not get hold of her.

“What is it?” I ask impatiently. “I can see you’re communicating.”

“Maxim’s hurt,” Axel replies bluntly, and I nearly burst out laughing in relief. Look, I have a heart, but I will happily sacrifice every wolf in Constantine before Elara so much as gets a scratch. “We’ll need to help.”

“Well, you two aren’t covered in shit for nothing,” I scoff. For fuck’s sake. Elara is risking her life, and they are standing around like old ladies swapping recipes. “Go help.”

“If you can contain your curiosity for five fucking minutes, we will,” Kane growls, turns away, and mind links Elara.

“Come on, Mason,” Axel looks at me. “We need to get the truck as close as possible to the dungeons. I know a spot. As soon as Elara gives us the signal, we’re driving closer to get them out of there.”

“That’s a terrible idea,” I frown. “We can’t just sit and wait while she ...”

“We have no choice,” Kane snaps. “You can bet your ass we will be spotted as the alphas if we go in, and then she’s in deeper trouble. We are the backup, the last resort. Otherwise, we all could’ve cut our wrists at home because the outcome would’ve been the same.”

“Then I’ll go in,” I say adamantly. “They aren’t looking for me.”

I steel myself for their protests, but they look at me thoughtfully before facing each other.

“I guess you’re going in then,” Kane nods.

“Okay,” I reply, stunned that they finally allow me to be a part of the plan. “Let’s go.”

Elara POV

Mindy and Monroe walk towards me, and I quickly step in front of them.

“You shouldn’t go in there,” I say sternly. If Mindy sees her mate in that condition, she might flip out and alarm the guards. “He’s alive but hurt. You shouldn’t see him like that.”

“He’s my mate,” Mindy argues softly. “And we’ve been separated for weeks now. I have the right ...”

“Yes, you do,” I cut her tirade short. “But I also know you since we were kids, and this will upset you beyond reasonable thinking, and I need you to focus if we want to get out of here.”

“Elara, I ...”

“Listen to her, Mindy.” Monroe’s voice is calm, but I notice the fear in his eyes. “If she says not now, we should listen. She’s our Luna, after all.”

Oh, shit. I forgot about that. Ever since I have been mated to the alphas, there has been so much drama, and well ... I do not feel like a Luna.

“I’m not ordering you as your Luna,” I say softly, touching Mindy’s shoulder. “I’m asking you as a friend.”

“I’m not the squeamish little girl you left behind,” Mindy snaps, her eyes blazing into mine. “I survived this hellhole, didn’t I?”

“Fine,” I sigh, giving in reluctantly. I know I can order her, but I would have reacted the exact same if I were in her shoes. “But prepare yourself and be quiet and quick.”

Mindy nods, and I turn around. She gasps softly behind me, but I ignore her and kneel beside Maxim.

“Do you think you can walk?” I ask softly, but his only reaction is to look at me with clattering teeth and wild eyes.

“He can heal if he shifts,” Mindy whimpers, her voice filled with despair and hope.

“No, he won’t,” Monroe replies hoarsely, and when I look at him, he is as pale as a ghost. “That’s the work of silver and wolfsbane. That’s why it’s so infected.”

“Fuckers,” I mutter, standing up.

“Why would they do that?” Mindy sniffs. “He’s a Constantine warrior.”

“And the alphas’ guard,” Monroe replies through tight lips. “They thought we’d know where they are.”

“But you ... are you also hurt?” Mindy whimpers.

“No,” he shakes his head. “I would’ve been next.”

“We should get out of here,” I say firmly. “Monroe, help me. We’ll have to carry him.”

With tremendous effort, we get Maxim’s limp body into a sitting position. He moans softly when we drape his arms around our shoulders and help him to stand.

“Braden,” I hiss, and I feel a breeze passing me.

“I’m here,” he says beside me. “I’ll help Monroe. You can open the gates.”

“No, you’re faster than me,” I reply. “Wait until we’re at the exit and let everyone out. Mason brought the truck closer. Just catch up, okay?”

“Good luck,” he says, leaving with a breeze.

Maxim’s head drops to his chest, and Mindy quickly rushes to him, feeling his pulse.

“He’s still alive,” she replies, on the verge of tears.

I grind my teeth and master all my strength to carry-drag Maxim to the exit. I might be a hybrid, but Maxim is a beast of a man and currently three hundred pounds of dead weight.

We are at the exit, and cell doors fly open as Braden yanks them ajar. People swarm out of their cells and storm towards the exit, but I look at Monroe when we hear footsteps approaching from the front.

“Mindy,” I snap, turning towards her. “Take over from me.”

Without hesitation, she takes my place, and I shake my arms and hands, loosening them before I tap into my emotions.

Guards storm at us, and I lift my hands, sending gushes of wind towards them. They fly backwards and crash into the walls, momentarily confused.

“Move!” I shout, summoning more power to my hands. I lead the way and run forward, blasting wind at the oncoming guards and clearing a path.

Finally, we are outside, but I do not lower my hands. I am expecting more guards any minute. Behind us, people run from the dungeons in every direction, and I motion to Monroe in the direction where my mates are waiting.

“Elara! Over here!” Mason shouts, and I look at him in surprise. What the fuck is he doing here?

“Take over from Mindy, and help Monroe,” I order, and Mason runs closer. “I’ll cover the back.”

An unnatural, loud growl echoes around us, and we all turn around to look.

“Oh, sweet Goddess,” Mindy whimpers. “What is that?”

I swallow and stare at the gigantic wolf with glowing green eyes, saliva dripping from his fangs. His eyes are fixated on us, and he is slowly striding towards us.

“Oh, shit,” Mason mutters. “It’s a test subject.”

“Run!” I order, lifting my hands and summoning the wind.