Chapter 220
Ethan’s POV
“The northern border? My voice came out as a barely contained growl, the words triggering an immediata carade of alarm bells in my mind. Was Samuli connected to the rogues? It would explain so much. I turned to David, my decision already made. “Prepare transport immediately. Small team. Wer
David nodded sharply, already on his radio. Within minutes, we had assembled a strike team: David, myself, and two of capable warriors. force might alert our enemies and put Aria in greater danger. The element of surprise was our only advantage now
“Blake, Martinez–secure the perimeter once we arrive. David and I will approach from the east, I barked, my voice cougher than intended as I checked weapon for the third time in as many minutes. The cold metal against my fingertips did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. My beart hamm against my ribs like it was trying to break free, and the image of Aria–my pregnant mate–at the mercy of these monsters made bile
I dragged a trembling hand down my face, feeling the stubble I hadn’t bothered to shave
“Sir?” Blake’s voice pulled me back from the edge of darkness my thoughts were spiraling into.
“What?” I snapped, then immediately regretted it. These men were risking their Gves for my
“The extraction route–do we have a backup plan if the main road is compromised?”
I nodded sharply, forcing my racing thoughts to focus on strategy instead of the thousand ways Ara might be suffering right now. Every second that d by was another second where our unborn children might-
No. I couldn’t let my mind go there.
“We’ll use the old logging paths if necessary,” I managed, checking my watch for the fifth time in two minutes. “Let’s move
I arranged for several of my most trusted guards to stay with Lucas, giving them explicit instructions on security protocols. He’d be safer here, sunded ire pack, while I recovered his mother. I was just finishing the briefing, my words coming out in rushed clipped sentences, when a small blur of movement caught my peripheral vision.
Too late, I realized what was happening. Lucas had slipped past the guards and was racing toward our vehicle like a miniature mile, determination written in every line of his small body.
“Lucas!” I shouted, lunging after him, but he was already at the SUV, his small fingers gripping the door handle with surprising strength. His eyes Hazed with determination, jar set in that stubborn expression.
“You promised to take me with you!” he shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. You said wherever you go, I go tool I need to help save Mom!”
I crouched down to his level, forcing my voice to remain calm despite the panic and furcoursing through my veins. “Lucas, this is too dangerous. These people hurt your mother, and I can’t risk them hurting you too.”
“I don’t care!” Tears welled in his eyes, but he blinked them back defiantly. “She’s my mom! I can help! I can smell things, remember? You said my nose special!
I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, every second of delay torturing me with images of what might be happening to Ar. Loras continued to cling to the door handle, his knuckles white with effort.
“Fine, 1 conceded finally, recognizing the futility of arguing further. Time was our enemy now. “But you listen carefully, Lucas. You will stay in the vehicle with Martinez. You will not leave unless I personally tell you it’s safe. Not a single step without my permission. Do you understand? Your mother life could depend on it.”
gravity of my words. He swallowed hard, then extended his small fist toward me. “I promise,” he said solemnly. Pack outh.”
Lucas’s eyes widened at the g
I bumped his tiny list with mine, sealing our agreement. “Pack oath,” I echoed, then lifted him into the backseat where Martinez would guard him.
The drive north was agonizing, each minute stretching like an hour as my mind tortured me with worst–case scenarios. The winding forest roads felt endless, the headlights barely cutting through the increasing darkness. My fingers drummed restlessly against the steering wheel while Felix prowled anxiously beneath my skin, desperate to be unleashed.
“There!” David’s sharp voice cut through my thoughts as he pointed ahrad. Dim headlights flickered through the trees, then shut off. I immediately killed our lights and pulled the SUV into dense underbrush for cover,
“Stay here,” I ordered Lucas, my voice leaving no room for argument. “Martinez, protect him.”
In the faint moonlight, I could make out two figures in the clearing ahead. Sarah was struggling to drag Aria’s limp form from a sedan. Even from this
Chapter 220
distance. I could see Aria’s head lolling to the side, her body completely unresponsive. A low growl escaped my throat before I could stop it. Felix was perilously close to the surface, claws itching to tear through my fingertips.
he appears to be unconscious,” David whispered, his eyes tracking Sarah’s movements with predatory focus. “No visible injuries from here.”
Sarah propped Aria against a tree, then stepped back, checking her phone anxiously before making a call. Even with my enhanced hearing, I could only catch fragments of her conversation.
*—already here with her–don’t have much time–hurry up—”
She hung up and resumed paring, throwing frequent glances toward the road as if expecting someone. The pieces clicked into place: she was waiting for a handoff
“We circle around.” I murmured to David and Blake. “Approach from behind. I’ll take point.”
We moved silently through the underbrush, using the darkness as cover. My heart pounded violently against my ribs, but years of training kept my movements steady and silent. Every step brought me closer to Aria, closer to tearing Sarah limb from limb for daring to take what was mine.
From our new position, I could see Aria more clearly. Her beautiful face was pale in the moonlight, her swollen belly rising and falling with shallow breaths. Relief flooded through me–she was alive. Our babies were alive. Felix’s rage subsided just enough for strategic thinking to resurface. I signaled to David and Blake, preparing for our approach.
Three more steps and Sarah would be within my reach. Two more steps and I could snap her neck before she knew what hit her. One more step-
A high–pitched beeping suddenly cut through the silence. Sarah whirled around, a handheld device clutched in her palm, its screen flashing red. She grabbed a flashlight from her pocket and swung it wildly into the darkness.
“Who’s there?” she shouted, her voice edged with panic. “Show yourself”
I abandoned stealth and launched forward, prepared to end this now. But Sarah moved with unexpected speed, dragging Aria upright and pressing a blade against her side, right where our unborn children grew.
ep and I’ll gut her like a fish,” she hissed, eyes wild with desperation.”
“Back off!”
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