Page 45 of Howl For A Kiss
"No." The word tore from her throat. "No, she was supposed to be safe. She was married to that monster's son, she should've been?—"
"Elena." Damon's hand found hers, grounding her as panic threatened to steal her rational thought. "Breathe."
But she couldn't breathe. Not when her baby sister—the one person Elena had failed to protect when it mattered most—was about to die because of Elena's choices. Because Elena had joined the rebellion. Because Elena had made enemies of the very people who now held Fiona captive.
"We need to go after her," Elena said, whirling to face Damon. Her voice carried the steel of absolute determination. "I'm not letting her die. I should've never walked away from her that day."
Damon pushed himself to a sitting position, ignoring the obvious discomfort the movement caused. "Agreed. But we really need to be smart about this."
"You're still recovering?—"
"I'm feeling well enough," he interrupted with that authoritative tone that brooked no argument. "But we need backup. Your rebel group of thirteen fighters. Plus, we need new weapons to replace what we lost."
Elena nodded, her tactical mind already spinning into motion despite the emotional turmoil threatening to overwhelm her. "We head back to Cade's compound, gather the team, and plan a rescue mission."
"I can drive you both to Cade's compound now," Patrick offered. "My truck's gassed up and ready."
"Ok, let's head out," Elena said, already moving toward the door. The mate mark on her neck throbbed as Damon's protective instincts spiked through their bond, but underneath it she felt his unwavering support.
He'll help me save her,she realized.Even injured, even knowing how dangerous this will be—he'll stand with me against an entire pack if necessary.
The knowledge should have concerned her. Instead, it filled her with a fierce determination that burned away the last of her fears about opening her heart completely to him.
TWENTY
DAMON
Patrick's truck rumbled to a halt just outside Cade's rebel compound as the November moon crested the treeline, casting silver light across the snow-covered ground. Damon helped Elena down from the passenger seat, his hand lingering protectively on her back despite the dull ache in his abdomen.
After partially claiming her last night in the cavern, Damon could now feel Elena's turbulent emotions even stronger—her panic, her determination, and her guilt that was so sharp it made his chest tighten. She blamed herself for Fiona's capture, for walking away that day when the Tidewater Beta had held a gun to her sister's head. The knowledge that his mate carried such crushing self-recrimination made his protective instincts surge like wildfire.
"Thank you, Patrick," Elena said, her voice steady despite the storm raging beneath the surface. "We'll get word to you about the outcome."
The rebel leader nodded grimly. "Bring those youngsters home, Elena. And watch each other's backs."
As Patrick's truck disappeared into the darkness, Damon caught Elena's arm gently but firmly. "We need to move fast,but we also need to be tactical about this. Usually when an Alpha issues a kill order, it's executed swiftly—within twenty-four hours."
Elena's face went pale in the moonlight. "Then we don't have time?—"
"We have enough time to do this right," Damon interrupted, his voice carrying the authority that had commanded respect for fifteen years as Beta. "Rushing in blindly will only get Fiona and those other rebels killed faster."
She whirled to face him, her blue eyes blazing with desperate fear. "You should really stay here. You're still healing, and if something happens to you because of my mission?—"
"Elena." The singular word carried enough steel to cut through her panic. "Look at me."
When her wild gaze focused on his face, Damon stepped closer, close enough that her scent filled his lungs and calmed his restless wolf. "I will not let you go into that stronghold without me. That's not even an option, ever. You are my mate, and where you go, I go. End of discussion."
Something in his tone—the absolute finality of it—seemed to ground her spiraling thoughts. Her shoulders straightened, and he felt her tactical mind clicking into gear through their bond.
"All right," she said, her voice regaining its characteristic steel. "Then let's make sure we both come home alive."
They walked through Cade's compound gates toward their shared cabin, Elena's thirteen loyal fighters emerging as word of their arrival spread. Maggie hurried over, her healer's eyes immediately assessing Damon's condition.
"You look like hell," she announced bluntly.
"I feel better than I look," Damon replied dryly. "But we have bigger problems right now."
Five minutes later, after Elena broke the news that Damon is actually the Beta of the Silvercrest pack and her fatedmate, Elena's surprisingly understanding fighters crowded into their cabin's main room as she spread detailed maps across the dining table. Damon studied the terrain surrounding the Tidewater Alpha's estate, his Beta experience automatically cataloging defensive positions, guard rotations, and potential vulnerabilities.
