Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 147: Chapter 147

Mason POV

Time slows down as the powder, which I haggled from Rhiannon, covers all of us in a fine cloud that smells a bit like lavender.

Elara looks at me wide-eyed as the guards run past us without even a glance, even when one of the babies sneezes loudly.

Rapidly, Elara morphs back to herself. No lie, it is a relief to be looking at the woman I love instead of that giant goon whose form she has taken.

“We’re invisible and shielded,” I say. “Rhiannon gave me a powder. They can’t see or hear us. I guess it also took away your transmogrification.”

More guards run past us, shouting. I hold Elara and the twins closer, and we stand in one place until they all pass us.

“Let me take one,” I say, pulling away. I take Isaac out of the sling and bundle him in the oversized guard’s jacket.

“We need to get into those trees and walk back to the motel where we left our vehicle,” I say, pointing in the direction we should walk. “The guards saw Philips’ truck. And since you’re Philips, they’ll follow the truck.”

“Hm, maybe you should get clothes first, naked man,” she smiles.

“Yeah, okay,” I nod, quickly thinking of a solution. “Give me your pants.”

“What?” Elara scoffs.

“That guy’s shirt hangs till your knees,” I reason. “You don’t need the pants.”

“Fine,” she rolls her eyes and hands me Lanie to take them off. “I guess we should be grateful we picked a sleezy motel, because now we’re both half-naked.” freēwēbnovel.com

“Small mercies,” I smirk, handing her the twins and putting on the pants.

“You do realise how much easier all this would’ve been if you’d poofed us into being invisible in the first place, don’t you?” Elara asks as we start walking to the motel.

“We couldn’t take the risk of it not working right, or wearing off before you found the twins,” I reply. I hate lying to her, but the truth about how I got the powder is not something I can get into right then. It is a story, and a confession, for another time, when we are not running for our lives.

“There’s something you’re not telling me,” she looks at me accusingly.

“Magic is complicated,” I reply stoically, praying that she will leave it at that. Because she is right. There is a whole bunch of shit I am not telling her. I hope I never have to, either.

“Speaking of complicated,” she continues. “They’re sending people to give more protection to the High Council. A high-ranking guard told me there’s talk of the vampires killing the Alphas.”

“Shit, are you serious?” I look at her, flabbergasted. “We should ask Anton about it.”

“They’re going to come after us,” she says. “Even though I looked like Philips, they’re going to figure out who took the babies, and they’ll come after us. Even to Stillwood, assuming we even make it there.”

“We’ll get there,” I say reassuringly, standing still and allowing Colf to come forward and scent the air. “And I’m not sensing any guards on our tail.”

“Good,” she nods, pushing forward. “We’re almost at the motel, and I will kill for a snack. Morphing sure builds an appetite.”

Pride floods me as I look at her. This is my Luna. Bold, brave, smart, competent. Thinking on her feet. Exhausted, but not willing to give up the fight.

The truth is, without that powder from Rhiannon, I would have lost her and the twins back at the fence. I made the deal with her because I was willing to promise anything to make sure I had a way to keep Elara safe if things went south.

I only hope Elara will never have to find out what I agreed to do.

Kane POV

I am standing on the front porch of Elara’s cottage, a mug of coffee in one hand that I am not drinking. We have not heard a single word from Mason or Elara, and I am about to lose my mind.

A vehicle comes around the corner, and I drop the mug. I do not even care about the hot coffee splashing on the way to the ground.

“Axel!” I shout. “They’re home.”

Axel joins me on the porch, and together, we watch the car doors open. Elara gets out, holding Lanie, followed by Mason and Isaac. We watch them walk towards us, and suddenly, I am overwhelmed with emotions. They are here. They are safe.

Like one, Axel and I rush to them, throwing our arms around both of them.

“Goddess,” I sigh. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Even me?” Mason mumbles.

“Even you,” Axel chuckles.

For a moment, we just all stood there, hugging. Four adults and two fussing infants. Axel’s arm goes around my waist. Mason and I are hip to hip, and I do not even want to punch him.

“We need to get these babies inside,” Elara’s voice is hoarse with emotion. “They need a change and to be fed.”

Her eyelids flutter, and I sense her stagger before I actually see her knees start to buckle. Moving as one unit, coordinated as warriors on a strike, Axel scoops Lanie out of her arms, and I catch Elara as she topples over. She nestles against my chest. She smells disgusting, like a sweaty male human, but I do not care. She was home.

“Quickly, bring her inside,” Mother orders from the porch. “She must be exhausted from the morph potion.”

“You two,” she barks, pointing at Mason and Axel. “Get those babies fed. They’re famished. Kane, you bring Elara in here and put her on the bed so I can check her over.”

It has been a long time since I took orders from my mother, but we all did exactly as she told us. In the tiny bedroom, I lay Elara gently on the bed. She is clearly fighting unconsciousness, and she clings to me as I sit next to her.

“The twins ...” She mutters.

“They’re with Axel and Mason. Their fathers.” The words slip before I can stop them, but it feels right.

“Why am I so tired?” Elara lets out a gasp of relief and shudders against me.

“It’s the potion,” I whisper, pressing my forehead against hers. “But you’re here now. You did it, and I won’t let anything happen to you. None of us will.”

When her mouth meets mine, wide open and eager, it is all I can do not to strip us both naked and take her then and there. But she just risked her life for the twins and needs her rest. Carefully, I pull away from her, cupping the back of her neck and looking into her eyes.

“You need to rest until you feel strong enough to take a hot bath,” I say tenderly. “I’ll bring you some water.”

“Kane,” Mother enters the room with a basin. “A little privacy, please. I’ll help her get cleaned up. She smells like a human.”

“Yes, Mother,” I grin, kiss Elara on the forehead, and leave the room.