“You need a doctor,” I say, my voice firmer than I feel. If she doesn’t get help soon, she’s not going to make it. The blood loss alone is staggering.
But she shakes her head, her voice urgent despite its weakness. “We don’t have time,” she whispers. “He killed them all. Everyone who wanted to help stop him. I failed you, failed Scarlett.” Her words come fast, desperate, and weighted with guilt. “Go to her. You don’t have time to waste. This isn’t over. The cavern is twenty miles from here, near the River Kent. I can mark it on a map for you.”
Her body sags further, and the man supporting her eases herto the ground.
“Get me a map.” Her voice is urgent.
He shouts for someone to bring a map, his voice echoing sharply in the tense air. I don’t wait, pulling out the phone I have, open a map, and crouch down in front of her, holding it out.
Her trembling hands reach for the screen, her fingers trembling as she does her best to work them. I zoom in on the area around the River Kent, holding the phone steady to help her as her eyes scan the screen. She’s barely able to focus, her breaths shallow and laboured.
“I’ll mark it as close as I can,” she murmurs, her voice faint. “Look for the line of trees, three rows running together. That’s the marker leading to the cavern.”
I nod, watching her intently. Her determination is staggering, even now, when she’s clearly at her limit. My heart aches, and the words pressing on the edge of my tongue finally spill out. “He’s your son, isn’t he?”
She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t even blink. Instead, a heavy sigh escapes her lips, filled with a hollow sorrow that makes my chest tighten.
“Yes. A shame, isn’t it?” she replies, her tone cold and detached. “I gave birth to a monster. That’s nothing to be proud of. I don’t even have one good memory...” Her voice trails off, and for a moment, she seems lost in the weight of her regret. “I wonder where I went wrong.”
“This isn’t on you,” I say softly but firmly, my gaze locked on hers. “His actions don’t define you. You fought for these people, you tried to do something for them, you tried to stop him. That is incredibly brave, and I thank you for it.”
She musters a weak smile, and I flash her a smirk. “And not to mention you’re Scarlett’s grandmother. She’ll be happy to know she has you.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and she looks up at me with a weak, wistful smile. It’s small, almost fragile, but there’s gratitude in it.
“Thank you…” she whispers, her voice barely audible now.
“You’re going to be okay,” I say quietly, though I can sense the truth neither of us speaks. She’s badly injured. I’m not sure if she’ll survive, but I’m not giving up on her.
She nods faintly, her fingers twitch as she motions weakly towards the phone.
“It’s around there. You won’t miss it. They would have had to travel by foot at the end. I’m sure there’ll be some scent or footmarks left. Go.”
I wish there is something more I could say to her, but all I manage is, “Thank you.”
I stand up, scanning my surroundings. “I want those with any knowledge in first aid to stay behind and help the wounded!”
“Alpha, what about with you-”
“I don’t care about the risk. These people need it more.” Candice and the man supporting her look up at me, surprised.
“Why would you do that for us?” he asks, looking at Candice and then back at me.
“This pack belongs to Scarlett, and I will take care of what is hers until she can do so herself. I will bring you your Alpha,” I say softly, my heart clenching painfully at the fact that she isn’t here.
“Thank you, Alpha Elijah. Please save her,” the young mansays. I nod.
Without a question, I will.
“Wait, I have an idea to make finding the cavern faster.”
“Harrison knows where it is once you get there, although he isn’t in any state to walk. Perhaps if someone can carry him?” Candice suggests, looking weakly over her shoulder as she motions to a teen boy.
“We can do that,” I say, “If he is willing.”
The boy nods vigorously, “Of course.”
I nod, motioning to Liam to get the boy before walking off. We have no time to waste.