“They don’t want us to escape,” Phoebe muttered. “I-I don’t have enough energy to teleport so many people out of here. It took a lot just to get to your place, Kiya.”
“We can’t put you at any more risk,” I muttered. My eyes found Nadia’s. “What could we do if there’s no way out?”
“They boarded up the windows and doors all around this place, but they missed the top floor, as always. There’s a large window. You can escape that way.”
“But this place is five stories high!” Violetta pointed out. “What if we don’t make the landing?”
“We’re right next to a large river,” Nadia explained. “If you land in the water instead of the ground, you should be okay, but I need Cadmael’s fire. This is our only chance and the other avatars are also fighting for their way out.”
“We have to take it, you guys,” I advised, squeezing Femi’s trembling hand. “If that is our only chance, we don’t have any time to lose. I assume you’ll light this place up once we get out of here?”
Nadia nodded. “Yes. The fire would spread through the natural gas pipes, but you all should be gone before the fire starts. Once Cadmael does his job, he’ll escape the same way.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” The bigger man shrugged. “I’ve been wanting to burn these motherfuckers since the moment that brute took me.”
Holy shit, I forgot about Cerberus! Who knew where he was right now? He could very much bring us back to Osiris and his goons without a second thought. Suddenly, a faint scent curled in my nose, carried by the distant wind. It grew stronger by the second, and its potency was powerful enough to seep through the walls of this asylum.
It was a scent I was all too familiar with, but there was more. Many more. My heart pounded at the hope that hugged me like a weighted blanket, sparking the light of renewal into this dreary situation.
“Phoebe, I smell them!” I hopped. “They’re here! Our pack is here!”
“Wait, you can smell them?” Phoebe wondered in astonishment. Light glittered in her amethyst eyes, happy tears pooled in her tear ducts, “They’re here to rescue us!”
“Wait, who are you guys talking about?” Cadmael asked, confused. “What do you mean ‘smell them’ or ‘pack’ ? I smell nothing but sweat and blood.”
Cadmael didn’t know I was a werewolf. Even Femi shot me a confused look. Nadia smiled as bright as Phoebe. There had to be a way to let the pack know we were here. The joint scents of both Garnet Moon and Zircon Moon continued to grow stronger, albeit slowly.
Anthony came! And Neron too? Holy shit, he’s alive?
**Artemis, I know you’re weak, but I need your help*.”
***I know exactly what you’re thinking**. **Yes, I’m feeling sluggish, but that won’t make me any less useful* ** *** **Are you ready**?”
*Always*.” I turn to everyone. “Cover your ears.” Everyone did so, even little Femi. I had to howl. Wolf howls were known to help other wolves find their location; it was a better tracker than scent. If I howl loud enough, I could lead them here to save us.
I stood strong and tall, Artemis now at the forefront of my mind, present and ready. I prayed to Selene to help me, to allow my howl to reach the ears of all the wolves who had come to save Phoebe and me. To show them the path of light. To lead them to victory. And at that moment, it was like I could feel her cool hands on my shoulders.
Urging me to be the beacon.
I howled. Strong and loud. It shook the walls of the asylum, no doubt ringing through the ears of good and evil alike but that was fine. I didn’t care. We would deal with them as they came.
I howled again, somehow twice as loud as the first time. This one was full of feeling, it was saying, ‘We’re here! Find us!’ and I knew it worked. Because the scents of many wolves on both sides became more pungent.
We heard a powerful crash two floors below us.
***Neron***
The journey took hours. We left when the sun barely peeked through the horizon. Now she showed herself with her bright morning light. The red dot on the wrinkled map shimmered brighter the closer we came to the location.
Joy couldn’t be the right word to describe the encompassing feeling within my heart. Joy was too weak to describe its strength. I was growing closer. The path was clearer now, and I knew at the end, I would be able to hold Kiya’s hand once more.
“We’re growing closer to the women,” I told Alpha Anthony as our warriors stopped for a very brief break. A smile cracked on his face as he looked to his parents, saying something to them in Spanish. Whatever he said brought the same contagious smile on their faces before turning back to me. “How much longer until we get there?”
“It’s hard to tell,” I muttered. “But we’re heading in the right direction.” I knew we were. I have faith. *Don’ t worry, Kiya*. *We’re almost there*. “We should move. We can’t waste any more time.”
“Right.” My fellow Alpha agreed. Just as he was about to announce the move, we all froze. Froze at the sound of a distant howl. It echoed around us; the volume carried with the wind. Within me, Onyx stirred and grew restless.
***Mate**!” He boomed. “**It’s our mate**! **We must go to her**! **She needs us**!”
“Oh, my Goddess, it’s Little Bit!” Beta Jacqueline announced, stirring the entire army. “Get your asses up!”
“Rest time is over. Move it!” Alpha Anthony announced with authority. On cue, human glamour faded to reveal wolves. Black, grey, brown, red, yellow, and more. We knew the direction we’re heading and just how far. The women were close. My mate was close. Immediately stripping down and shifting into Onyx, Anthony and I led the charge.
We didn’t stop. We ran for what seemed like forever. Kiya’s howls echoed once again, this time louder and longer. It pushed Onyx to the max, his thunderous paws beating against the pavement as he ran.
We all ran. Together as a solid unit. Stray animals and bugs around the trees hid as the apex predators of Mother Nature passed through their habitats. Nothing was stopping us from completing our mission.
Something dark grey came into our view, clearing up to show an isolated and large facility. It reminded me of those asylums I’ve seen on television and read in books. A plethora of scents bombarded my nose, too many to count and too many mixed to narrow on a specific one I needed.
I needed a whiff of her sweet scent. Honeyed strawberries and vanilla. I needed it more than I needed air!
Like a battering ram, we burst through the front gates and doors, spilling into the dank interior. Immediately, we’re met with adversaries armed with guns and magic. Bullets whizzed in the air and shouts echoed against the walls, but it didn’t damper our resolve.
No mercy to the motherfuckers who stole the women. None!
**Spread out*!” I announced through the mind-link. “*Destroy anyone who stands in your way*! *We won’t rest until we find Kiya and Phoebe*!”
**Yes, Alpha*!”