44. Elisabed

44

Elisabed

The chaos and destruction had made the building a maze. Blood made the floors slippery and stained my paws as I made my way through the debris behind Marshall. I could feel his silent urgency pressing against my mind, urging me to keep moving, to focus. Finn was close.

Every instinct in me screamed to turn around, to go back to my sister and my family, but I couldn’t. Not when I knew Finn was somewhere in this hell, possibly lost to the same bloodlust that had claimed so many others. He needed me. They all needed me.

I followed Marshall through shattered doorways and ruined hallways, my heart pounding in time with the heavy thuds of his paws against the floor. We searched room after room filled with dead and dying wolves.

Finn, where are you ? I desperately tried to reach him.

There was no answer. Marshall growled, his ears swiveling as he caught a sound I couldn’t hear. He glanced back at me with urgency in his eyes before taking off in a blur of fur and muscle.

I sprinted after him, my legs aching but refusing to stop. I couldn’t lose him. The sound of snarls and growls grew louder as we approached a set of double doors, one of them hanging off its hinges.

Marshall pushed through first, his body tense and ready to strike. I followed, my breath catching as I took in the scene before me.

The room was large, its opulence now marred by destruction. Overturned furniture and shattered glass littered the floor, and Finn was in the center of it all.

He was locked in a brutal fight with Leonard, one of the high-ranking alphas from the council. Blood coated Finn’s fur, and his eyes glowed with a feral light as he tore into Leonard’s flesh.

Leonard tried to fight back, but it was clear who was winning. Leonard wouldn’t walk out of this alive. Marshall didn’t move to intervene, and I understood why—getting between two feral wolves in the throes of a fight was a death sentence.

I took a cautious step forward, my paws slipping slightly on the blood-slicked floor. Finn, it’s me. Please, come back.

He let out a guttural growl, his jaws clamping down on Leonard’s neck. Leonard struggled, his claws raking across Finn’s side, but it wasn’t enough. With a final, bone-crunching twist, Finn ended the fight.

Leonard’s body collapsed to the floor, lifeless, and Finn stood over him, panting heavily. His chest heaved with every breath, his glowing eyes scanning the room for his next target.

And then his gaze landed on Marshall.

My heart stopped as Finn’s growls deepened, his body lowering into a predatory stance. Marshall bristled, his own growls rumbling like thunder as he prepared to defend himself.

No, I thought desperately, stepping forward before I could stop myself.

Marshall’s head snapped toward me, his growl briefly faltering, but he didn’t stop me.

Finn, I called, louder this time.

Finn’s eyes flicked to me, and for a moment, I thought he recognized me. But then he snarled, his body tensing as if ready to charge.

He lunged.

I barely had time to react as he closed the distance between us. Marshall moved to intercept, but Finn was too fast. He knocked me to the ground, his massive body pinning me as his jaws hovered inches from my throat.

Saliva dripped onto my fur, and his growls vibrated through my chest. I froze, every muscle in my body locking up as I stared into his wild, unrecognizing eyes.

Finn’s weight on my body was suffocating, every inch of his form pressed against mine in an unrelenting claim. His breath rumbled in my ears, deep and guttural, each exhale a low growl that rattled my resolve. Saliva dripped from his parted jaws, sliding down my neck and soaking into my fur. Yet he did not bite.

His glowing, feral eyes stared down at me, unblinking and wild. He didn’t respond—at least not with words. Instead, he lowered his snout closer, his nose skimming my throat, where my pulse thudded wildly beneath my skin. I stiffened, but I didn’t push him off.

Behind him, Marshall stood motionless, his massive wolf form radiating tension. His growls vibrated through the air like thunder, but he didn’t make a move. He trusted me to reach Finn, even though I could feel his hesitation, his instinct screaming to protect me.

You know me, Finn, I tried again, my mental voice trembling slightly. You know who I am.

Finn’s nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, his body stiffening. His claws flexed into the floor on either side of me, his muscles coiled as if he were still debating whether I was prey or something else.

Stay calm, Elisabed, Marshall warned, his voice a steady hum in the back of my mind. If you panic, it’ll push him further over the edge.

I didn’t need the reminder. Every instinct in my body was already screaming to keep still, to stay soft, submissive, and safe.

Finally, I let out a soft, low whine—an omega whine.

Finn stopped growling. His jowl twitched as though tasting the air again, his glowing eyes dimming ever so slightly.

He lowered his head again, but it wasn’t to threaten this time. His nose pressed into my neck, his breath warm and uneven as he inhaled deeply.

Elisabed? His voice in the bond was a whisper, hoarse and uncertain.

Yes, I replied, my voice trembling with relief. It’s me. I’m here, Finn. I’m safe.

His claws eased from the floor, his body shifting as the tension drained from him. Slowly, he lowered himself until his weight was no longer crushing but resting. His muzzle nudged the side of my neck, his teeth grazing my fur.

I thought I lost you, he said through the bond.

I nudged his cheek with mine. I’m here now.

Finn let out a sound that was half-growl, half-sigh, his body fully collapsing against mine. The feral gleam in his eyes faded, replaced by a raw vulnerability.

I’ve missed you so much, sweetheart , he murmured through the bond. Please don’t ever leave me again .

Marshall came closer, his golden eyes sharp and assessing. He sniffed the air near Finn and growled, but it wasn’t hostile anymore. Finn stiffened slightly, his ears flicking back toward Marshall, but he didn’t pull away from me.

I’m fine, Marshall , Finn said through the bond, his tone resigned. It was incredible having both of them in my head. Their voices vibrated through our bond, and I knew I would never feel lonely again. You don’t have to check.

You’re bleeding, Marshall replied curtly, his gaze fixed on the wounds along Finn’s sides.

Nothing I can’t handle, Finn muttered, though his voice lacked its usual bravado.

I nudged his shoulder until he rose enough to let me stand. My legs wobbled slightly, but I steadied myself, glancing between the two alphas.

We can’t stay here, I said, looking at both of them. There could still be others.

Marshall nodded, his golden eyes meeting mine. We’ll need to move quickly. Finn, can you run?

Of course I can run, Finn answered with a scoff. Let’s go .

He was trying to stay strong, but I saw him swaying slightly, his injuries clearly affecting him. I pressed closer to his side to support him.

Lean on me if you need to , I offered.

He didn’t argue with me, leaning on me just enough that I could still move without difficulty. I knew he had to be in a tremendous amount of pain to even lean on me slightly.

We had to keep moving. We had to find August and get out of this mess alive—all four of us and the pup in my belly.