Chapter 44

44

D on't panic .

I squeeze my eyes shut and draw a deep breath in as I repeat those two words over and over again in my mind, knowing that if I allow the fear to take hold, I'm a goner.

Don't. Panic.

Of course, that's easier said than done when I've got serious claustrophobia issues and I've just found myself trapped in a tight space with no way out.

My ears are ringing. There's smoke filtering in from somewhere overhead. The stabbing pain I feel with each breath is a pretty good indication that I've cracked a rib or two, and I'm horribly disoriented, my vision blurring into some fucked up kaleidoscope effect as I blink my eyes open and try to get my bearings.

I knew the plan, damnit. I knew this place would go up in flames if things went sideways with the peace negotiations. I really should've taken a second to consider the risks before I came rushing in here, but when I felt Cam's pain through the bond, something in me snapped. The prospect of losing him suddenly became all too real. So, I busted in through the cellar door in an impulsive, half-cocked attempt to save my mate, only for the hallway to implode around me before I could even make it to the bottom of the stairs.

So much for heroics.

I suppose I should be thankful that I was down here when it happened. The thick concrete walls I once cursed definitely just saved my damn life, but now I'm trapped underground amidst the debris while on the verge of a panic attack, which is less than fucking ideal. The irony that I once escaped this place only to come back and die here isn't lost on me.

I need to get a grip. Need to breathe. And I need to find a way to get the hell out before I'm suffocated by the smoke or my own fear; whichever kills me first.

Don't. Panic.

I pull out all my tricks- counting down from ten, breathing in through my nose and exhaling through my mouth, rubbing my fingers against my temple…

The last time I felt like the walls were closing in, Cam helped me pull through. Now, I don't even know if he's alive. But I'd feel it if he wasn't, wouldn't I? I'd know the moment his heart stopped beating because mine would, too. The depth of this bond between us is the most real thing I've ever known. I thought I didn't want it, but now I don't know how I'd ever live without it. If the tether was broken, I'd know . And it isn't.

I close my eyes, pretending he's here with me now. Like that time I lost it in the shower, he's cupping my face and coaching me through every breath. If I try hard enough, I can almost feel the ghost of his hands on my cheeks and hear the low, soothing sound of his voice. Focus. Breathe.

Something about conjuring up that memory actually seems to help. I swear I feel the tug of our bond in my chest being pulled taut as my panic slowly starts to ebb away, my vision finally focusing when I blink my eyes open again.

I can do this . I'm not some feeble damsel; I'm Avery Kessler, damnit, and I refuse to go down without a fight. I've got people out there counting on me .

With a grunt of determination, I push up to my feet, crying out at the sharp pain stabbing in my right side with the movement. Yep, definitely cracked a couple ribs . At least I've got shifter healing on my side, and while my wolf works overtime to patch up my body, I can deal with the pain. A few bumps and bruises are the least of my fucking worries right now.

I swivel my head around, heart thundering in my chest as I take stock of just how trapped I am right now. The corridor is partially caved in on either side of me. The metal bars of my former cell are to my left, which means the cellar I entered through is behind me, beyond the rubble somewhere. That's the closest escape route, but I have no idea how much I'll have to dig through to get to it. Smoke inhalation might kill me first, but I have to at least try…

Don't. Panic.

I pivot around, choking on the thick, acrid air as I dart my frantic gaze over the crumbling concrete blocking the corridor. There's an opening at the top; I just need to get to it somehow. Pivoting around, my eyes land on the metal folding chair Cam used to sit in when he came to visit my cell, a plan beginning to take shape in my mind.

Dragging the chair over, I climb up to stand on top of it, reaching up to heft chunks of rock and debris out of the way to create a larger opening that I can climb through. My heart beats a riot in my chest, my lungs burning with every panted breath. I dig until more rock starts to fall away, Adrenaline surging through my veins as I find a foothold in the rubble and climb up to peer through the gap.

It takes a few seconds for my vision to focus, and when it does, I realize that the doorway to the cellar is closer than I thought. What's left of the corridor is littered with debris, but the doorway itself is unobstructed, so if I can get there, I can get out. The jagged edges of the destroyed concrete cut into my palms as I haul myself up, forcing my body over the rough pile of rock blocking the corridor. I gasp and choke, wriggling my way over and tumbling down on the other side.

My landing is less than graceful. A scream tears from my throat as I jerk my chin down to see a bloody gash torn into the skin of my thigh, courtesy of a jagged piece of rebar protruding from a chunk of concrete. As if I wasn't already suffering enough . Slapping a palm against the wound, I grit my teeth and push up to my feet again, a wave of nausea hitting as I stumble to catch my balance.

At least it's less claustrophobic on this side. The doorway for the cellar is only a few yards away. If I can just get there...

I startle at the loud crash of something behind me, whipping around to see that the opening I just came through is gone. The ceiling is starting to collapse, more thick smoke rolling in from above. Wreckage tumbles down, and I narrowly escape it falling right on my damn head, leaping away and rushing in the direction of the cellar.

Again, it's not graceful. I scramble over the debris lining the floor, hobbling and tripping on something that sends me stumbling forward. I manage to catch myself on the edge of the doorframe before I go down, but my heart sinks when I'm finally able to see into the room, only to realize there's a pile of rubble where the staircase once was. That was supposed to be my way out, and it's blocked.

I'm going to fucking die down here.

"Avery!"

My heart surges with renewed hope as I hear the muffled sound of someone calling my name from above. No, not just someone. My mate. Staggering across the room, I yell back at the top of my lungs, climbing up onto the jagged mess of rock toward the sound of that voice until I can make out a sliver of daylight peeking through.

"Avery!"

"I'm here!" I call back hoarsely, clawing at the rubble separating us .

"Hold on, we're gonna get you outta there, baby, just hold on…"

Tears spring to my eyes, a heavy breath of relief whooshing from my lungs. Not only because I'm actually going to get out of this hellhole, but because Cam's here. He's alive.

I frantically paw at the debris, dirt and dust stinging my eyes as my feet scrabble for purchase against the loose rock beneath me. Little by little, the small opening starts to widen, light spilling in from overhead as I drag in greedy gulps of the fresh air washing over my face. Tattooed arms reach for me through the gap and I grab on for dear life, crying out in pain as I'm hauled upwards by two sets of strong hands.

My mate and brother work in tandem to pull me out through the rubble, and the moment I'm free I fall into their arms, gasping and sobbing with relief.

"Thank fuck," Madd chokes, pressing his forehead tightly against mine. He's trembling, breaths sawing in and out raggedly as Cam pushes in from the opposite side, pressing kisses to my hair and whispering words of adoration for only me to hear.

Well, Madd might catch one or two, judging by the way he quickly breaks up our happy reunion.

"We have to move," my brother growls, shifting aside to grab for my elbow and help me to my feet. Cam's arm snakes around my waist to guide me to stand, and I yelp as it presses in against my sore ribs, both men immediately flinching back in alarm.

"Are you hurt?" Cam questions, brows knitting together as his concerned gaze washes over me. He reaches out to trail his fingertips over my skin gently, cataloging every visible injury on my body. I'm all scraped up, but honestly, I'm lucky it isn't worse.

"Nothing I can't handle," I breathe, grabbing for his hands. That's when I realize they're stained with blood, drawing a sharp gasp as I give him a once-over and see that the left side of his shirt is saturated with crimson, the fabric torn.

"Wait, did you get shot?!" I screech.

"Can we please move the fuck away from this house before it collapses on top of us?" Madd asks gruffly, pressing a hand to my back and urging me forward.

"I'm fine," Cam reassures, shifting to my opposite side and slipping an arm around my shoulders. "Let's go, Luna."

A crash sounds behind me, heat flaring at my back, and that's the kick in the ass I need to finally get moving, the three of us scrambling toward the edge of the forest. As soon as we breach the treeline, Sloane comes rushing over, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh my gosh, Aves!" she cries, crashing into me and flinging her arms around my middle. A pained whimper slips from my throat and she jumps back, wide-eyed. "Are you hurt?"

"Think I just cracked a couple ribs," I grit out, wincing.

Madd swivels around to step in front of me, his jaw tight and the vein in his forehead protruding angrily. "The fuck were you thinking?" he demands, a raw edge of hurt bleeding through his words. In his eyes, I see the real meaning behind them. I love you. I was scared I'd lose you.

A low growl rumbles in Cam's chest as he shoulders in front of me protectively while Sloane grabs for my brother's arm, aiming to calm his storm. "Madd, take it easy," she placates, her voice low and soothing. "It's over now, she's fine…"

"She could've fucking died in there," he snarls, whipping his head sideways to meet his mate's eyes and throwing out an arm to gesture in Cam's direction. "If your dumbass cousin hadn't fucked around and gotten himself shot…"

"Her what ?!" I choke, my brain short-circuiting.

Sloane's lips twist in a scowl and she whacks Madd on the chest with the back of a hand, giving him a scathing look. Meanwhile, Cam just blinks at her in bewilderment while my mind trips over itself in a struggle to comprehend what the fuck is even going on right now.

Madd lifts his gaze, meeting Cam's dumbstruck stare for a second before shaking his head and averting his eyes. "Read the fucking file she gave you, hunter boy," he mutters, turning on a heel and stalking off into the trees.