Chapter 222: Chapter 222
Elara POV
I wait patiently while everyone gets out of the truck. We all had a refreshing shower and a nap, and now it is time to finish the Council once and for all.
Mindy nervously fiddles with her fingers, and taking her by the arm, I pull her away from the group.
“What’s the matter?” I ask softly. “Are you still upset because Tom and Carlos are tied to a tree?”
“No,” she shakes her head, and bites her quivering bottom lip.
“I know you’re scared,” I comfort her. “Honestly, so am I. This mission is ...”
“It’s not that,” she interrupts me, shaking her head. “I ... uhm, I’m pregnant.”
“Yes!” I exclaim excitedly, but her eyes widen, and she pulls me further away when the men look at us.
“Shut up!” She hisses. “I haven’t told Maxim and Monroe, and I don’t want to do it now. I don’t want them to be distracted.”
“Oh, Mindy,” I sigh softly. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Ladies, is something wrong?” Kane asks.
“We’re having a pep talk,” I smile, placing my arm around Mindy’s shoulders and guiding her back to the group.
“Okay,” Axel nods. “We each have two firebombs that Isolde has prepared for us. But only for self-defence if we run into a test subject. We have no desire to burn down Constantine like we did Isolde’s office and the facility. Understand?”
“Good, let’s go,” Kane continues.
Kane and Axel take my hand, and we walk to Constantine’s border in silence. We have said and discussed everything, and we are as ready as we can be for what lies ahead. Still, it feels like I have not said or done enough.
I should have seen Stella. I should have held her and said how much I love her. I should have made love with my mates one more time. But I did not, and now it is too late, because we are at the border.
I let go of my mates’ hands, and we form a circle, so we have eyes on all directions. I close my eyes, raise my hands and summon the wind. I direct the wind into Constantine. Leaves rustle softly, and I increase the intensity until the wind howls around buildings, and smaller trees bend slightly.
I slowly step forward, and the group follows. We are downwind, and chances are they will not pick up on our scent, but we are not risking it. We continue forward, and my nerves calm a little when there is nobody in sight. The members of Constantine received the message and are in hiding, and I am grateful. There has been enough death and destruction.
But everything changes when we reach the Council. Gustav is standing on the steps, surrounded by warriors and test subjects. I lower my hands, and the wind dies down.
“We should just throw the bombs and get it over with,” Axel grunts, and I want to agree with him. Burn them all to hell and continue with our lives in peace sounds idyllic.
“No,” Kane disagrees. “Look at his smug face. Gustav has something up his sleeve. This is too easy.”
“Welcome,” Gustav says jovially, raising his arms and smiling. “We’ve been expecting you.”
“Did you put out milk and cookies?” I ask sarcastically, crossing my arms.
“No,” Gustav says, his eyes narrowing. “But I did prepare a special room for you in our cells.”
“Ah, not the facility?” I pout, and red flames creep up his neck and cheeks.
“I don’t need the facility anymore,” he yells. “The process has been perfected, and we can do it in the comfort of the cells.”
“Enough chit-chat,” I exhale dramatically, rolling my eyes. “It’s over. Surrender, and we all can enjoy a good night’s sleep.”
Gustav remains silent as his eyes turn dark and ominous. The test subjects slowly rise and crawl towards us with the warriors right behind them.
“Enjoy your playdate,” Gustav smirks, turns around and walks towards the building.
“I’m going after him,” Kane mind-links. “Can you handle the rest?”
“With pleasure,” Axel replies.
“Guys,” I whisper to our group. “It’s going to get hot around here. We must lure them away from the pack members. Follow me.”
Keeping my eyes on the test subjects, I take Axel’s hand, and we slowly move towards the woods behind the facility. There are no residential houses, and the training grounds will hopefully stop the fire from spreading.
Kane cautiously ducks behind a wall, and I nod as a signal that nobody notices him separating from us.
Once I am certain they are following us, we start running towards the training grounds. The subjects growl and chase us with impressive speed. I look at Mindy, her face distorted with fear when she cannot keep up with us.
“Keep running,” I shout, taking a stand and lifting my hands. With unwavering focus and concentration, I send gushes of wind at the subjects. The warriors behind them fly backwards, but the wind merely slows the subjects down.
I reach into my pocket, take out a firebomb and throw it at the subject’s feet in the centre. Immediately, I duck and cover my head with my arms as the explosion washes over me.
When the heat subsides, I look at my friends and sigh in relief when I see them unharmed at a safe distance. I stand up and turn to the subjects. Two are rolling around, desperate to extinguish themselves. The rest are staring at them, stepping back before directing their attention at me again.
Dammit, here they come again.
“Get your firebombs ready!” I shout, running towards my friends.
“Mindy, Braden, get back,” I order.
“I ... I can do this,” she protests when I take her bombs from her.
“I know you can,” I smile. “But I want Stella and your baby to be best friends like we are. Please, go. Do it for me, your mates and our children.”
“Braden,” I look at him seriously. “Protect her with your life.”
Mindy’s eyes fill with tears, and I turn to Axel and Mindy’s mates.
“Alright, people,” I say firmly. “Bombs out.”
