Elara POV

I fight my tears as I search for Kane’s pulse, but it is not easy with Braden pulling manoeuvres to escape the police. Kane’s face is unrecognisable, covered in blood. There is no doubt that his nose is broken. Fuck, for all I know, his skull is fractured. I do not know how I am supposed to move on with my life if he dies.

“He’s alive,” I sob in relief as I feel his faint heartbeat.

“He needs to shift,” Axel groans in pain. “We both do. We need our wolves to heal.”

“That’s going to be a bit of a problem right now,” Braden says dryly.

“No shit, Sherlock,” Axel snaps.

“Enough,” I sniff, wiping the tears from my face. “Enough fighting, okay? I know you’re in pain, Axel, and that tensions are high, but I can’t deal with much more. Not when Kane ...”

My voice trails off as threatening tears accumulate in my throat, and I bite my lip so hard that I taste blood. Then it hits me. I bite my lip harder, filling my mouth with blood.

“Axel, kiss me,” I order him, and he looks at me, confused, but his eyes light up when he sees my bloody mouth.

He puts his hand behind my neck, pulls me closer and kisses me eagerly. His tough evades my mouth, searching and sucking my blood. If Kane had not been lying on my lap on the verge of death, this could have been extremely arousing.

“It’s working,” Axel says, pulling away. “I’m already feeling better.”

“Good,” I sigh, relieved, and look at Kane. How do I make an unconscious man drink?

“I don’t think you can,” Axel replies as if he has read my mind. “We’ll need medical supplies for a transfusion.”

“Oh, Goddess,” I close my eyes and lean back in the seat. Devastation and fear are gnawing at me. We have run out of safe houses and allies. Going to Malachi would endanger my family and our children.

“Oh, shit!” I gasp, my eyes flying open, and I sit up. “The twins! Mason knows where they are, and he’ll ...”

“Don’t worry about that now,” Braden cuts me off brusquely. “I’ll sort that. Concentrate on Kane.”

“Okay,” I pull myself together. “I’ll summon the wind and blow the police off our trail.”

“Elara, they’re doing their job,” Braden reasons. “Let’s not kill the innocent humans.”

“How else do you suggest we get out of this?” Axel huffs. “They keep on calling in reinforcements, and we’re about to run out of fuel.”

“I have a plan,” Braden replies. “Are you strong enough to carry your brother?”

“Yes, I am,” Axel replies.

“And I can help,” I add.

“Okay,” Braden nods. “We have no choice but to return to the cottage. I know we risk running into the subjects, but it’s the only place I know with medical supplies. Get Kane there, heal him and get out of there. I’ll shake off the police, contact Maxim and his mates and find a new place to stay. Do you think you can stay alive that long?”

“We’re sure as fuck will try,” Axel exhales deeply.

“There’s a dirt road a couple of miles ahead,” Braden explains. “Get ready to jump out. And people, you’ll need to be fast.”

My heart is pounding wildly in my chest when Braden takes the dirt road, and I pray that we will be in time to save Kane. I have not said anything, but his pulse has been getting weaker, and I fear the worst.

“Hold on, it’s going to get rough,” Braden warns as he takes a sharp right, and I hold Kane as tightly as I can.

I look through the back window, watching the police follow us. Braden swerves through trees at rapid speed, and the police do their best to keep up, but one car gets stuck in a ditch, blocking the rest.

“Quick! Get out!” Braden shouts as he slams on the brakes. “Disappear into the woods, I’ll lead them in the opposite direction.”

Without hesitation, we get out, and I help Axel to gently place Kane over his shoulder.

We run into the woods, and when I look over my shoulder, the first police car flashes past us, following Braden. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Braden POV

I ride as fast as I can through the rough terrain, leading the police away from Elara. Once I am certain they are out of sight, I slow down, allowing the police to catch up with me.

I turn onto the highway and continue forward. One by one, the red and blue lights appear behind me, and it is not long before I see the lights ahead.

I smile as I speed towards the roadblock. This is going to be fun.

I call on my invisibility power and slow down. Police cars pull up beside and in front of me, blocking me in, and I stop the truck.

I chuckle softly as I open the cubbyhole and look for anything that could identify or lead the police to Kane and Axel. I quickly wipe off every surface of fingerprints and ready myself for what is about to come.

It is a cacophony of sounds as the police get out of their cars, find shelter and point their guns at me. Their demands for me to get out blare over the megaphone, but it slowly dies down when they do not see a driver behind the wheel.

It is time to dump this truck, and I slowly open the door. The air fills with the sound of weapons cocking. Quietly, I get out and run past them to safety.

And just as I expected, they move closer, screaming demands, followed by stunned silence when they find an empty vehicle.