Chapter 186: Chapter 186
Kane POV
“I can’t believe I’m doing this again,” I grunt, rubbing animal faeces over my naked body. I convinced myself that it would not smell as bad as the first time, but this is worse. I swear Braden searched for the freshest shit he could find.
“Look on the bright side,” Elara says, breathing through her mouth. “At least Axel is suffering the same fate, and your mother isn’t here to keep us from the shower.”
“I never should’ve teased you,” Axel says, dry heaving every now and then. “This feels like payback.”
“But you know it’s not,” Elara giggles before her face distorts in disgust when she breathes in the stench.
“Remember not to shift if not necessary,” I remind them. “The shit will fall off.”
“Literally,” Axel grunts.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Mason asks, covering his nose and mouth when he walks around the corner and sees us.
“Spicing up our sex life,” I reply dryly. What a dumbass question. There is only one reason why a wolf would go to the extreme in covering themselves in shit.
“Yeah, right,” Mason snorts. “You know that’s not what I’m asking. You don’t have to cover yourself for a scouting mission, and you don’t have to do it five hours ahead of time.”
“We adjusted our plans,” Axel replies. “Did you get fighters for us?”
“Obviously not for tonight,” Mason replies irritably. “And especially not when I’m left in the dark about our plans.”
“It wasn’t on purpose, Mason,” Elara says calmly. “You were with Asher when we discussed our plans. So, jump in and start rubbing. We’re leaving in an hour.”
Mason POV
“An hour?” I gasp, panic rising in my throat. If they leave now, the Council will miss them. I hate my brothers. They fuck up everything every time. If it were not for Elara, I would have killed them right here and right now. “That’s a dumb idea.”
“Why?” Kane asks coolly, raising his eyebrows. “Because you weren’t included in the decision?”
“No,” I frown, fighting my panic and frustration. “Because it’s too early. A lot of people would still be awake when you ... what the fuck are you doing if you’re not scouting?”
“Getting reinforcements,” Axel’s eyes and white teeth are in sharp contrast with his smeared face. “You’re not the only one with fighter friends.”
“Goddess, how can you expect me to help you if you keep up with this game of cat-and-mouse?” I explode. For fuck’s sake, they are pushing me to the limit, and I am done. They need to stay here so the Council can find and kill them. I have had enough of these motherfuckers.
“Mason, it’s ...”
“No!” I shout, cutting Axel off. “You were all self-righteous about playing nice and being part of the group. Meanwhile, you two kept my kids from me. But I let it go and moved on. You accused me of murder and poisoning Elara. Still, I suck it up and ask my friends to risk their lives for you. I keep on giving, and you keep on treating me like shit. Fuck both of you.”
Infuriated, I turn around and storm off. I tried, Goddess knows, I tried, but I cannot do this anymore.
“Mason, wait!” Elara shouts, but I keep on walking. I do not want to hear it. She is infatuated with her mates and refuses to see their flaws.
“You’re right, and I’m sorry,” she says, taking my hand.
“Do not touch me!” I snap, yanking my hand away. “You stink.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, her eyes pleading with me. “I know I stink, but ... I’m sorry, okay?”
“Sorry for what?” I growl, my anger simmering down as I look into her mesmerising green eyes. I cannot help it; she is my kryptonite.
“I’m sorry we’re making you feel like this,” she says softly.
“I don’t want your apology,” I growl, looking over her shoulder at my brothers. It does not matter what she says. She will simply turn around and run back to her mates. “I want you to open your eyes and see them for who and what they are.”
“I changed the plans,” she says urgently. “Not them. This is my fault.”
“Right,” I snort. “You would say that, because they can’t do anything wrong in your eyes.”
“You don’t have to believe me,” she says firmly, crossing her arms. “But it’s the truth.”
“Why would you be so irresponsible?” I ask, pushing my fingers through my hair. “How can you attack without knowing everything? How can you even consider entering the pack when you’re almost certain to be caught?”
“Because it’s half an hour before shift change,” she explains. “And I want to be caught.”
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” I yell, beside myself with shock and concern.
“You will not speak to her that way!” Kane shouts, balling his fists.
“Don’t let me get started on you two!” I snap. “How can you allow her to be caught? You have no fucking idea what they’ll do to her. They will kill her, or worse, take her to the facility. She’s your mate and the mother of your child, and you’re risking her life. For the life of me, I don’t get how she can love you fuckers.”
“Enough, Mason,” Elara intervenes. “It’s my choice, and nobody is allowing me to do anything. I’m my own person who can think for myself.”
“And she won’t be alone,” Braden emerges from the trees. “Also, all of you should thank your stars there’s nobody around, because I could hear you argue a mile away.”
“Why?” I whisper, looking at Elara. “Why are you risking your life? What about Stella?”
“Stella won’t have a future as long as the Council is around,” she replies. “I’d rather secure a happy future for her and die than live and be on the run for the rest of our lives.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, closing my eyes and rubbing my forehead. I cannot even convince her to leave her mates; there is no way in hell I can change her mind on this.
What the fuck am I supposed to do? How do I get her away from mates and waste time until the Council arrives?
