Page 89 of The Lands Defying
“What’s wrong?”Josh asks. He looks at my hand.“Fuck, not now Rhea, control it.”
“I’m trying.”Runa growls within me, pacing and restless, and I mentally stroke her head, trying to calm her to help calm me.
I look through the bars and see Darius’s eyes on me from the other side, his men already there too.
The two rows of cells may be between us, but just his eyes on mine begins to calm me.
Runa whines, and I settle, pulling my magic back before Darius comes over here.
I nod my head at him, letting him know I’m okay and with a lingering look, he carries on.
“You good?”Josh’s tone is full of worry.
“I’m good.”My eyes go to the others and I nod, letting him know to continue.
Taking a fortifying breath, we aim for the cell that Oscar and Katy are in, not making a sound as the beasts on this side and Darius’s side are still fucking the femalesto death.
The sounds of their cries shred my heart. It feels like something is dying inside of me as I’m choosing my pack over saving them.
But it’s not just them.
If the Highers see us, it’s over. They will know Darius is against them, and then the rest of Vrohkaria will continue to be in their clutches.
We can’t let that happen.
Raised voices reach my ears as the beast on the other side of the room roars in anger, and we quicken our pace, knowing Darius did something.
I take a peek through the bars of the next cell to the other side of the room and see the beast grabbing the female hard, and shoving her down to the floor, his entire body covering her as he ruts into her while looking around, snarling, and roaring.
Forgive me.
Fingers, along with a small cry grip the bars of the next cell, and that’s what has my head snapping to it and away from the horrid scene.
Jerrod kneels next to it, holding tiny hands. “Shhh, mighty axe,” he says quietly. He’s talking to Oscar whose little body is shaking.
Hudson, Colten, and Taylor are further down, reaching their hands through the bars, whispering words frantically.
I crouch down next, my knees giving way to relief as I look into the cell, my own tears flowing as I see nearly all of my pack members inside.
“He’s with us,” I say straight away for Jerrod. They don’t know what has happened since they were taken, and the look of horror on their faces says as much, as they look at him in fear, neck bent in submission.
Finn, Axel, Eliza, Katy, Oscar. Elijah, Leah, her mom, Nathen, Lacy, and Sam, who’s leaning against the cell wall, squished between two members as she stares ahead blankly, Sybil holding her hand as some more members huddle together.
I spot a body on the other side and notice it’s Ben…
“Alpha,” Katy’s trembling voice hits me as she looks at her son and the Elite who took her away from Eridian in the first place. “You’re alive,” she says, and I nod, placing a hand to my lips for silence, then reach forward and squeeze her hand.
“Others?” I croak out, and more tears spill down her cheeks, looking at Ben.
I nod, grief curling around me.
“We’re getting you out of here,” I tell her quietly, looking at what is left of my pack that is huddled in this cell. Seventeen of them. “Come, gather round, all of you,” I tell them, and my pack rushes towards me, the pups crying and the others barely keeping it together. “Jerrod, take them back,” I tell him, and he looks toward me, conflicted. “Hudson, Colten, Taylor. Go with him.”
“This is not a good idea,” Taylor tells me as Hudson and Colten share a look.
“They will need you,” I say, looking at my pack. “They won’t go if you don’t.”
They nod at that, knowing they are scared of Jerrod.
