Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 223: Chapter 223

Kane POV

I sit motionless behind the wall, watching as Elara leads everyone away. My stomach dives as the subjects and warriors follow them. I close my eyes and silently pray that they will be safe.

Once they pass me, I get up and run into the building, ducking from wall to wall, pillar to pillar. I peek my ears, but I do not hear anything. No movement or breathing. Where the fuck is Gustav, and what is he up to?

I sneak through the hallways to Gustav’s office, and I grunt in disappointment when I find it empty.

Throwing caution to the wind, I run into every office and every room, but I still come up empty. Frustration boils in me when I run to the basement. He would be a fool to hide here; it is a dead end, and he is trapped. But there is nowhere else I have not looked.

A soft grunt catches my attention, and I run towards it.

“Anton,” I gape in surprise when I see the old man beaten and bruised, locked up in a cell. “I’ll get you out of here. Where are the keys?”

“No key,” he groans, pointing at the gate.

Confused, I look at the door and the lock.

“Motherfucker,” I growl when I realise they have welded the door. No lock in the world will open this.

“I’ll get you out of this, I promise,” I say, looking at him sympathetically.

“You would think so, but no,” Gustav’s voice echoes around us, and I swing around in fright.

Gustav is smirking at me with two subjects by his side. My mind is racing as I weigh my options. There is no way I can fight my way out of this. And if I use the firebomb, Anton and I will definitely die with them.

“You people are so predictable,” Gustav sneers, walking closer. “And now you’re right where I want you.”

“If you say so,” I reply dryly. I am in no mood for a conversation. Besides, if this must be my last words, I do not want it to be with him.

“Get into that cell,” Gustav orders. “Or my friends will help you inside.”

“Anton,” I look at him, reaching into my pocket. “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise of getting you out.”

“In! Now!” Gustav yells.

“Fuck you,” I shout, throwing a firebomb in front of Gustav’s feet.

The explosion blasts me all the way to the back, into a wall. Pain jolts through my head, and I lie down with a groan. Gustav’s desperate screams echo around me, and I look up. The subjects are on the floor, rolling around and howling in pain as Gustav frantically runs around with his arms swinging. I know I am going to die with them, but I will die with the comfort that the Council will never harm anyone again.

“Elara,” I mind-link her as darkness threatens to overwhelm me. “I love you.”

Elara POV

“Get ready, now!” I shout, and we throw our bombs at the subjects.

Immediately, we hit the ground as heat and flames fill the air. I look up and sigh in relief when all the subjects are burning. The explosion even got some of the warriors, and those who are unscathed are trying their best to save their friends.

“Everybody okay?” I ask, looking around, and my heart stops when I look at Monroe. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

“Shit,” I jump up and run towards him. The left side of his body is covered in severe burns, and I am too afraid to touch him.

“Monroe,” I call him urgently, gently feeling for a pulse as Maxim and Axel immediately rush to our side.

“Talk to me,” I plead, and exhale deeply when I feel his heartbeat.

“Ouch,” he groans, and I take his healthy hand in mine.

“Can you shift?” I ask softly. “It will help.”

“Don’t ... know,” he replies and starts shivering.

“Guys, we should hurry,” Maxim’s voice is filled with worry. “The warriors are coming for us.”

“Ah, fuck me,” I mutter when I look up and see warriors shift and run towards us.

“Maxim, take him to Isolde,” I say, standing up. “She’ll know what to do.”

“What about you?” Maxim asks, looking from me to Axel.

“Don’t worry about us,” Axel says. “The subjects are gone, and we can handle the wolves.”

We help Monroe to his feet, and Maxim supports his healthy side.

“Hurry,” I say, turning to the oncoming warriors and raising my hands. I create a whirlwind and send it their way. The wind tosses them in all directions, and one screams when he lands in the flames.

Axel shifts and runs towards them as I keep using wind to knock them off their feet.

“Elara,” Kane mind-links me. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I reply, taken off guard by his timing. Confessing his love in a moment like this does not predict anything good. “Have you found Gustav?”

He does not reply, and fear’s cold tendrils curl around my heart.

“Kane, what’s happening?” I ask worried. “Kane?”

“Axel, we must hurry,” I say urgently. “Kane’s in trouble.”