Free Web NovelChapter 136: Chapter 136
Elara POV
“Yeah, well, what’s new?” Axel scoffs. “It just keeps piling up.”
“Hush,” Braden glares at him. “Let her speak.”
I look at Gabriela with anticipation. I am desperate to hear her answer, but if she is here with Malachi, then no one is trailing Orion.
“Orion has what he needs,” Gabriela answers ominously. “Two hybrid babies.”
Thank Goddess, I sigh inwardly. I know it sounds harsh, but at least he does not have the twins.
“That’s impossible,” Kane says firmly. “They might have babies, but not hybrids. Where the hell would he get hybrid babies?”
“I’m afraid your father’s plans run deeper than we ever could imagine,” Malachi’s face twists in disgust. “How much do you know about Alice’s family?”
“I ... uhm, don’t ... I.” Kane stutters, looking at Axel for help.
“Why does that even matter?” Axel huffs.
“Alice was a hybrid,” Malachi announces.
“Get out of here,” I blurt out before I can stop myself, and everyone looks at me.
“What?” I shrug. “Was I the only one who heard Rhiannon say hybrids are a dying breed? What’s the odds of Alice being a hybrid?”
“She’s right,” Kane agrees. “We never lost control when Alice was in heat. There’s no way she could’ve been a hybrid.”
“It took her years to be mated, did it not?” Malachi raises his eyebrows. “And when she finally was, who did she get mated to?”
“Gregory and Lucas,” Axel whispers, his voice barely audible. “The men Orion paid off to mate hybrid she-wolves so he could use them for testing.”
“Oh, shit,” I gasp when realization strikes. “Alice was a hybrid, and Orion has the twins.”
Kane’s and Axel’s faces morph into masks of shock and horror, and my heart pangs for them. They had no idea what kind of danger Alice and their pups were in.
“But ... but Dad knew Alice,” Kane stumbles over his words. “He had all the time in the world to get to the twins, and he didn’t.”
“That’s right,” Axel agrees. “But he set his sights on Elara since day one.”
“Alice was a hybrid, but she didn’t have ancient vampire blood,” Braden says stoically as if he is figuring it out for himself. “That’s why her heat didn’t drive the pack crazy.”
“Not necessarily,” Malachi shakes his head. “We all know Mason is a Constantine, but the twins are only useful to Orion if their vampire side comes from an ancient bloodline. Alice is not from my bloodline, but I’m one of three surviving ancients. The others don’t live in this region. I don’t know who her ancestors were, but I’m guessing Orion does. Anyway, Alice lived among you undetected, which only leaves one conclusion.”
“She took a concealment spell,” I mutter.
“Correct, and a witch confirmed it,” Malachi nods. “That’s why it took us so long to figure this out.”
“Fuck!” Kane cries, pressing his palms to his hands. “Where are the twins now?”
“With Orion,” Gabriela replies with thin lips. “He’s bargaining with the Council before he hands them over for testing. We don’t have much time.”
I reach for Kane’s and Axel’s hands, holding them tightly. This is so unfair. The twins are so little, so innocent, and Stella could have just as easily been in their place. We must stop this.
“Why did he have to run?” Axel asks, his voice raw with emotion. “Why did Mason have to be so fucking stupid?”
“Where is Mason?” I am almost afraid to ask.
“I wish I could tell you,” Malachi replies. “Gabriela didn’t see him.”
“What do you mean?” Kane asks hoarsely.
“I was living with him again,” Gabriela says, taking a shaky breath. “In the hunting lodge. I convinced him I wanted in on his plan, but I was working for Malachi this whole time.”
Shit. No wonder she looks so pale and terrified. Orion probably tortured her, too.
“Malachi and I are going to wait for Orion to leave,” Gabriela explains. “And we’re going to bring the babies back.”
“Say you succeed in bringing back the twins,” Axel reasons. “Then what? Dad won’t stop coming.”
“I know,” Malachi nods. “That’s why I’m going to kill him.”
Kane POV
“We’re going with you,” I say adamantly. “And Mother is staying here.”
Our pups are in danger, in what fucking world would we sit here and wait for Mother and an ancient vampire to take care of it?
“You’re not,” Malachi says firmly. “And Braden will stay here to make sure you don’t take one step outside the barrier.”
“Malachi, be reasonable,” Elara surprises me when she steps forward. “How can you expect us to stay here and not help?”
“Us?” Axel looks at me, raising his eyebrows.
“What?” She shrugs. “I’m a hybrid, I can fight. Do I need to remind you that I helped you escape?”
“Somebody has to stay with Stella,” I reason, but my heart is overflowing with joy that she is willing to risk it all for the twins.
“Exactly,” Malachi continues. “And this is the safest place for you. Like I said, you will stay here, inside. And you will take care of each other. You’re no use to Mason, Isaac, or Lanie if you’re dead.”
“You two have the biggest targets on your backs aside from Elara and Stella,” Mother continues before I can protest. “And if anything happens to you, who will take care of them?”
The question hits me like a dagger to the heart as I look at Elara and Stella. As fucked up as it is to think about it, she is our mate, and Stella is our blood child. Our duty is to them first.
Hunter claws at me to fight Malachi. To insist on saving our babies, but I ignore him. Arguing is a waste of valuable time. Time, we do not have. I will check my ego and concentrate on my family’s well-being.
“Here,” Malachi steps closer and hands me a walkie-talkie. “We’ll communicate with these. It’s hard to trace, and they don’t rely on cell service.”
Axel and I exchange a confused look. This thing feels old and bulky.
“I’m well aware it’s old-fashioned,” Malachi says in an exasperated tone. "And that magic would be cooler, but any other spells or magical items could interfere with the protective barrier. And besides, we can’t locate Rhiannon right now. Everyone’s heard about the Constantine lockdown, and it’s got the witches spooked, too.” ƒгeewebnovёl.com
“Got it,” Axel nods. “Let us know as soon as you have news.”
“I will.” Malachi bows.
“Be safe,” I tell Mother, hugging her tightly.
