Axel POV

I relentlessly work on Kane, as Elara cannot stop coughing. I look at the basement entrance and ignore the reality that it is stupid to do this here. Smoke is swirling towards us, rendering my efforts useless. Or at least, that will be the case soon enough.

“Axel,” Elara croaks, suppressing a cough with great difficulty. “The wall against my back is becoming warmer. The fire is spreading, we must get out, or all of this would’ve been for nothing.”

“Dammit, Elara,” I growl, looking at her. “You promised me you’ll get out if you get into trouble.”

“You’re mad at me for saving his life?” She asks, confused, before doubling over when another coughing fit hits her.

“I’m not mad!” I shout, leaning over and breathing air into Kane’s lungs. “I’m scared, okay? You’re in no better shape than he is. I can’t lose both of you.”

“I’m fine,” she argues, standing up, but I can see on her face the effort it takes. “I’ll help you ...”

“No, you won’t,” I say, picking up Kane. “You can hardly keep yourself upright. Let alone help me carry him.”

I start walking, and Elara follows. I know I should not take it out on her, but I am riddled with fear.

We reach the outside, and I am surprised when Constantine’s pack members run towards us.

“Alpha,” a member runs towards me. “I’m Doctor Miller. Let me help.”

“Smoke inhalation,” I respond, laying Kane down on the grass. “And our mate, Elara, she needs help, too.” 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“We have what you need,” a she-wolf says beside me, and when I look at her, I recognise her as a nurse.

I want to ask how they knew and where they are coming from, but I am too grateful for the assistance.

“We saw the smoke,” the nurse says as if she could read my mind, as she runs towards Elara. “We’re prepared to treat anything fire-related.”

“Oh, good,” I nod, sitting down when my weight becomes too much for my legs.

Elara POV

I sit quietly breathing from the oxygen mask while the nurse examines me. My eyes are fixated on Kane and the doctor. Why is he not moving? Was I too late?

Tears silently roll down my cheeks as I watch them place a tube down Kane’s throat and load him onto a gurney.

“They’re taking him to the clinic,” the nurse says sympathetically. “He’s still alive. I know you’re worried, but he’s young, strong and healthy. There’s hope.”

My only response is to nod and lower my gaze. I know she means well, but she is irritating me right now. She does not know how I feel. She does not understand my fear and anxiety.

“Elara,” Axel whispers, and I look at him. “Do you want to come with me to the clinic?”

“Do you even have to ask?” I croak, standing up.

“I know,” he says, taking my hand. “I’m being polite because I don’t know what to do with my feelings.”

“I would also rather scream, shout and break things,” I admit. “My heart is breaking, Axel. I don’t ...”

“I know,” he whispers, pulling me into his embrace. “I feel the same.”

“Can I go?” I ask, looking at the nurse.

“Sure,” she smiles sympathetically. “You’re going to the clinic. There are people to help if you need help.”

I smile and place down the mask.

“I called Maxim,” Axel says as we walk to the clinic. “Monroe will be okay. Isolde gave him a potion and some magic lotion. They’re bringing him to the clinic for observation.”

“That’s good,” I reply hoarsely. I am grateful he is okay, especially since he will be a father soon, but I am too consumed with my own mate’s fate to really care.

We reach the clinic, and I slump into a chair in the waiting room while Axel impatiently paces up and down. It feels like I can spontaneously combust. The wait is killing me, but I am completely drained of energy.

The doctor finally appears, and I jump out of my chair, grab Axel’s hand and stare anxiously at him.

“Alpha Kane will be fine,” the doctor smiles.

“Oh, thank Goddess,” I sigh, resting my head against Axel’s shoulder. I want to laugh, cry, shout and dance all at once. Kane is okay. We will be okay.

“We’re keeping him for observation, but we’re confident that he’ll recover completely,” the doctor continues.

“Can we see him?” Axel asks.

“Sure,” the doctor replies. “But he’s still sedated.”

“Thank you. We won’t disturb him,” I say. “We’ll just quietly sit with him.”

“We’re the ones who should be thanking you,” the doctor says thoughtfully, looking from me to Axel. “If it weren’t for you, we’d still be under the Council’s control.”

“I’m sorry it took us so long,” Axel replies.

“The Council fooled us all,” the doctor scoffs. “Even after you left, we believed them. Anyway, I’m just happy we could save Alpha Kane. It’s the least we could’ve done after you risked everything to free us. Stay as long as you like, we won’t disturb you.”

The doctor walks away, and I look at Axel.

“You know what I just realised?” I ask softly. “It’s over.”

“I know,” he leans down and kisses me tenderly. “It really is over.”