Axel POV

I growl at the man under my paws. He flinches but does not move or cover his neck. All the anxiety from waiting while Kane and Elara were in the facility has taken its toll on my nerves, and I am ready to kill anything and everything.

“Do we even know if they were with Mason?” I mind link. “They didn’t shift or attack. For all we know, they were just passing by or running away from the burning building.”

“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” Kane replies. “They’re with him, I’m certain.”

“There’s a way to figure it out,” Elara scoffs, shifting back.

“What are you doing here?” Elara asks the men. “And don’t waste my time with lies.”

“We gave Mason a lift,” one quickly answers. “That’s all, I swear. We don’t know anything about why he wanted to come here. We were only helping a friend.”

“He’s lying,” I growl, applying pressure to the man’s chest.

“Yup,” Kane agrees. “But all we need to know is whether they’re innocent or not.”

“You’re a terrible liar,” Elara snaps.

“Okay, we ...”

“You had your change,” Elara cuts him off. “Now, your asses belong to us.”

Kane and I release them, and they look nervously at Elara.

“Get up,” she orders. “And if you even think about running, you’re dead.”

“We must get rid of Mason’s body,” I say firmly.

“You,” Elara points at one of the men. “Give me your shirt and follow me.”

Without saying a word, the man obeys and hands over his shirt. Elara puts it on, and Kane and I cover the back as she leads them to Mason’s body.

“Where’s your truck?” Elara asks, and one points to a white spot in the distance.

“Pick up Mason’s pieces and wait for me here,” she orders and runs towards the truck.

Witnessing us must have done a serious number on them, because they blindly obey Elara. I look at Mason’s dismantled body, and for a moment, I wish he were alive. Just so that I can tell him what an asshole he was, and to kill him again.

Elara pulls the truck closer, and Kane and I keep a watchful eye over the men as they load Mason onto the back. Honestly, it is sad that it had to end like this. If Mason were not so obsessive and, well, crazy, we could have developed a relationship over time. We would have welcomed him into our pack. He could have watched his kids grow up, and maybe even found love again.

“I think we should toss him into the facility,” Kane mind-links, interrupting my thoughts. “Let him burn, leaving no evidence of killing him.”

“Good idea,” I agree. Digging a grave was not on my to-do list anyway.

“Elara, drive to the facility,” Kane says. “We’ll follow.”

Elara POV

I park as close to the facility as I can. Heat and flames radiate from it. People who were not trapped by the fire have been either captured or killed by Maxim, Monroe and Braden.

I look at the captives with disgust as they sit on the ground, tied up with their backs against the fence. They are as guilty as the Council itself. Nobody forced them to work here. They ruined lives and destroyed families. They deserve everything that is coming to them.

“You two,” I point at Mason’s friends. “Join the line at the fence.”

I watch them silently as they obey and swing around when someone touches my shoulder.

“Braden,” I sigh his name in relief when I recognise him and throw my arms around his neck. “Thank Goddess, you’re okay. I was worried.”

“I’m fine,” he smiles, holding me tightly.

“I see you did quit a number on Mason,” he smirks when I pull away.

“He had it coming,” I say coolly. “We’re going to toss him into the burning facility.”

“I’ll help,” Braden offers, but I grab his wrist.

“No,” I say adamantly. “It’s too dangerous for you to get so close to the fire.”

“Elara, the fire is a risk for anyone,” he reasons softly.

“Not with my help,” I smile, waving Axel and Kane over.

We each pick up a piece of Mason and carry it as close to the building as the heat allows us. I drop Mason’s leg, close my eyes and take a deep breath. I summon the wind and direct it at one point in the fire. The flames open like a secret gateway, and Kane and Axel quickly run towards the opening and drop Mason’s pieces. Kane runs back, picks up the leg I carried, and runs it to the rest of the body.

I hold the wind until Kane and Axel are by my side before I lower my hands. The flames quickly close the gap, and we watch it engulf Mason.

“Goodbye, Mason,” I mutter, turn around and walk away.