Even with my newfound strength, he’s too heavy, and I have to slowly lower us onto the ground.
Wounds cover his entire chest and abdomen, and they’re deep. So deep.
How can someone be alive with these kinds of wounds? Why isn’t he healing?
Tears wells up in my eyes as I search for anyone that can help. The room is in complete disarray but at least everyone has stopped fighting. Wylla is lying on the ground, my mom hovering over her. Foster, Russell, Logan, and Arlo are delegating and dealing with the aftermath of Morbal’s and Marcus’ deaths. Sophie is on the other side of the room, patching up a lycan. Healers should be contacted soon to help the others, but right now there are none.
My body grows colder the more frantically I look. “Someone, please? Anyone?” I whisper.
“Ellie darling.” A cold, shaky thumb touches my cheek, wiping away a tear.
I look down at Ash, and to my horror, Ash’s normally light-brown skin has paled completely.
“Did you know Marcus was a bitten?”
I blink. “What?” Why is he bringing this up now?
“Marcus was a bitten,” he says, his voice softening with each breath. “His brother...Morbal...received the blood of the Elite, but he didn’t. So Marcus took the chance with the bite and survived. But his brother was an Original, while he was a bitten.”
I wipe away one of my tears that has fallen onto his cheek. “Ash…”
“And as sick as it may sound, they were brothers and loved each other even though their power levels were different. Do you…do you think Zac could’ve ever loved me?” His voice breaks. “Maybe if I had tried harder. Maybe if I had tried to make us seem not so different from each other... Do you think...I could’ve made him feel wanted? Loved?”
“Oh, Ash.” My heart breaks, more tears flowing down my cheeks. He’s talking as if he’s dying and these are things he’s worried about. Not himself. “Don’t talk like that.” Through blurry eyes, I smooth his ebony hair back, away from his dimming glacier-blue gaze. “Of course he could’ve, and of course you could’ve, but there’s still time to fix that relationship.”
“Ellie darling...” His hand falls from my face. “I don’t think I have much longer.”
My body trembles while I try to comprehend what I’m seeing, what he’s saying. No. There’s no way. He can’t be dying, it’s not possible. He’s a pureblood, an alpha. My mate. He can’t die from this. He’s too strong.
Ash’s eyes close as the place where he marked me begins to burn.
“N-no.” I grip his face, but he doesn’t let me see his beautiful eyes again. “Ash, come on, please, you gotta stay awake.”
My gaze focuses back on his gaping gashes, and I move my hands. They shake as they hover over his seeping wounds before I lower them to stop the bleeding. Or try to.
Blood oozes through my fingers, and I hyperventilate. My heart races. He’s going to bleed out.
“Ellie.” My mom’s voice breaks through my haze as she kneels beside me. Her worn body shakes from the strain of the chains still attached to her, but the bands are no longer there, only slowly healing wounds. “You need to bite him. You need to mark him.”
My eyes widen. “Mom?”
“This is your mate, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you haven’t marked him?”
How did she know that? “No, but I—” I’m being stupid. I wanted to mark him after all of this, but if he dies here, there will be no after.
“Okay,” I say. “I will.” I’d do anything to save him.
My mom struggles to stand before she turns away and moves back to Wylla.
Taking a deep breath, I gently lift Ash’s head off my lap and slip from underneath him.
My canines lengthen as I move over him, my bloody handprints cover the side of his head. I tilt his head to the side, exposing his neck better and lean down.
I hover my canines over his skin, just in between the shoulder and neck. My body on high alert, my heart racing.
“Please work,” I whisper and plunge my canines into his flesh.
It feels wrong biting into him, but at the same time, it feels right. He jerks slightly underneath me. I press my body more fully against him to keep him still as I force my teeth deeper inside of him until they’re fully sheathed.
Am I even doing this right? How does this work exactly?
All I know is the bite.
I squeeze my eyes shut as tears begin to burn. I refuse to cry more. He’s not dead. I need to stay strong right now. But how do I know this is working? Nothing feels different.
Maybe the bite has to deal with intent. It probably has something to do with my essence as well.
I focus on the link I’ve felt since I met him. But I do more than that. I focus on my essence flowing from me to him. Making him whole and healthy. I picture him in my mind, the gorgeous smile he wears whenever he sees me. His beautiful skin and how it feels against mine, his glacier-blue eyes that take hold of my soul every time I gaze into them. How kind and thoughtful he is. The desire he has to make this world a better place with me at his side. His laugh. His love. I can feel the love he has for me, like it’s a tangible thing. I grip him tighter as my body shakes from holding back sobs. I need him to live, to be whole and safe in my arms.
No! My canines shrink on their own accord, leaving his body.
My eyes pop open in a panic. He needs to wake up first. Why isn’t he awake yet? The shaking gets worse as I cling onto him. He can’t leave me like this. “Please don’t leave me. Please, my mate. I can’t live this long life without you.”
My breath hitches when he stirs. “Ellie.”
I lean back, just enough to get a look at his face. “You’re not dead?”
He smiles. “I’m not dead.”
“It...it worked?”
“It worked.”
The dam breaks and tears flow freely down. “It worked.” I sob as he sits up and pulls me into his arms, cradling me against his chest.
“It worked,” he whispers as he cups my face.
He pulls away, just enough to take my lips with his own. One arm is wrapped around me while the other cups the back of my head. His mouth is just as desperate as mine. He deepens the kiss, claiming me as his and I claim him as mine. My salty tears combine with our mouths. I was so close to losing him. To never being able to do this again with him. Never able to feel his love or to show him just how much I love him.
His breathing is heavy when we finally separate. He cups my face. “Ellie darling, I love you so much.” His thumb brushes back and forth against my cheek, wiping my tears away. His eyes are full of love and desire.
I sniffle and nuzzle against his chest, relishing being in his arms, taking in his scent. It feels like coming home.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I choke out.
He kisses the top of my head. “Thank you for saving me.”
“No, thank you.” I close my eyes, basking in everything that makes him him. “You saved me first.”
My heart rate increases with each step we take down the steps to the dungeons. My chest is tight as tunnel vision forms from thoughts of the basement. All I can see is the dark bottom of the steps.
But I want to help. I want to free those people.
Ash stops just before we make it down the steps. My clammy hand clenches Ash’s hand. But he doesn’t seem to mind.
Lycans and stryxes alike, in raggy old gowns and long shirts, are being helped out of the dungeon and up the stairs, bypassing us. Some are being carried out in gurneys, in worse shape or similar to my mom.
It’s only been a few hours, but my mom has seemed to be doing much better since the bands fell off. But it’s the opposite for Wylla.
If the haunted look in her eyes is anything to go by, she has more to deal with than just healing physically. Wylla has been the only witch since she was captured. Making her the prime candidate to do Morbal’s bidding. She won’t go into details, but I wouldn’t b
e surprised if she’s been forced to hurt others. A lot of the prisoners are missing a lot of blood, which could only mean she’s performed a lot of rituals and potions. Maybe even had to use their blood for her blood magic. None of them will talk about it, for obvious reasons.
Everyone that’s been affected will receive treatment here and either go into a rehabilitation center or return to their homes. Ultimately, it’s their choice. But Wylla chose neither and will be returning with us once we’ve done all we can here before giving the full reins to Arlo. We also will need to have another funeral for all the lycans that died during the battle. Each pack lost a lot.
“Are you sure you want to go in?” Ash asks.
“Yes.” I meet his concerned gaze.
His eyes shift between mine before he gives in. “Alright, let’s go. But if at any time you change your mind, I’ll get you out.”
I give him a small smile. “Deal.”
We take the final steps down and the smell of decay and rot hits me first before we even make it to the door.
We wait for a group to come out before we enter. The air is dry and musty, and it’s like a switch flips. I start to shake uncontrollably. My mind goes blank. Even though Marcus is dead, my mind and body can’t seem to forget what it went through.
“Ellie, please, let me take you back,” Ash pleads, cupping the side of my face with his free hand.
I keep my eyes downcast. “No, they suffered worse than me, I...I can do this. I want to help.”
His frown deepens. “Don’t compare what you went through to what they went through. They aren’t comparable. They have scars, but so do you. They suffered, and it’s horrible what they had to endure. But that doesn’t mean what you went through wasn’t horrible as well. They are survivors, but so are you. Don’t diminish the hardship you went through.”
I blink up at him, meeting his piercing gaze. Don’t diminish the hardship you went through. “I’m a survivor, too.”
He gives me a small, proud smile, his eyes rimming red. “You are.”
I sniffle. “If you cry, I’ll cry, and I don’t want a cry fest in the dungeons.”
A grin breaks out on his face as he chuckles. “Okay, I won’t. I actually have somewhere I’d like to show you before we help, if you’re up for it.”
I nod, and he drops his hand from my face. He slowly leads me deeper into the dungeons. Cobblestone and metal bars are everywhere we turn.
We walk down a hallway lit with torches. More people pass us until we make it to an archway at the end of the hall, made out of concrete and brick cobblestone.
Ash grabs a torch before we enter.
The ground turns to dirt once we step through it, but the tunnel’s walls and ceiling are made from the same material as the arch, but in a more angular formation. The tunnel slightly slants downward as we walk. The air gets cooler and sounds seem to fade as well.
“Ash.” I cling onto his arm. “Where are we going?”
He gives me a small smile. “This is how I got into the mansion.”
My eyes widen. “Through here?”
He nods. “A small group and I stumbled upon a catacomb, which is where we met Octavia and her group.”
“Ah, right, the stryxes.” He had introduced me to them once we found some clothes and cleaned up, right before coming down here.
He chuckles. “Yes, the stryxes.” He briefly stops to set the torch down. “When we were on our way up, we took a shortcut through a side cave that I knew I had to show you before we left.” The tunnels grow dark, so I switch over to my wolf eyes.
We take a smaller path off one hallway, and the concrete disappears with only dirt remaining around us. The air grows warmer the further we get, and the sound of dripping water grows louder.
The room opens up when we turn a corner, and I’m hit with warm, humid air. The damp walls glisten with the reflection of blue light. My gaze lifts to find hundreds of bioluminescent glowworms glittering up above like stars and constellations. A pool of water reflects the light, and it’s like I’ve been swallowed into the night sky.
I hope she likes it.
“I love it,” I whisper.
His breath hitches. “Ellie.”
“Yes?” I glance over my shoulder.
“Did...did you hear my thoughts?”
I blink. “I...I guess I did.” A smile grows on my face. “Perks of us being mates.”
A grin takes over his face, and he picks me up in a hug. “We completed the mate bond,” he says into my hair.
“We did.” I nuzzle into him. “And I couldn’t be happier. You mean everything to me, Ash. I’ll never want anyone else but you. I’m yours and you’re mine.”
His arms tighten around me. “Forever you, Ellie darling.”
I hold him back just as tight. “Forever us.”
We spent almost two months in Italy helping Arlo. Since he killed Morbal, he gained his pack, which had a lot of members who had been imprisoned. There’s also the concern of where he got all those magical artifacts that helped him control others because Wylla sure didn’t make them. He either bought them from the dark market, which I just learned about, or had another witch in secret. But there’s been no other signs of another witch except for those artifacts.
We’ll still look into it, but now that Morbal and Marcus are gone, we are focused on other things. Like implementing changes to our pack.
Not only do Ash and I want omegas to choose their own paths, but I realized most lycans are placed in positions and can’t move, whether they are warriors, healers, or hunters. So we’re changing that as well. It’s a slow process and people are scared of change, but we’re determined. We’ll never force someone to change if they like where they’re at, but we’re giving them options which is what counts. The next step is treating everyone equally, especially the omegas.
With the help from Foster, Russell, Sophie, Alice, and a few others, we’re making progress. Alice seems lost, though. I keep telling her she doesn’t need to decide anything right now, and even when she does, she can always change her mind.
I’m also adding more human careers to the town and pack. Humans don’t always stick to one job, so why do lycans? Okay, that’s a lie, humans usually stick to one career. But I want us to be able to explore different avenues. I don’t want anyone to feel confined. Even if they pick a job right now, I want them to know they can always change and do something else later.
“You look beautiful, Ellie.” My mom turns me around to face the full-length mirror we added to my room just for today. Even though Ash and I are already mated, I wanted a ring ceremony. I’ve always thought that that tradition was so beautiful and romantic. I know I would’ve regretted it if I never did it for myself.
“I really love the dress you chose,” Jane says.
A smile forms on my face as Jane tugs my dress down a bit, smoothing out the wrinkles. Not only does she know about lycans now, but so do Tom and Emma, who are outside with the other guests.
Kathy grew attached to Jane when she was a patient of hers. But now it’s grown into so much more for both her and Jane. Her and Jane’s relationship is new, but it’s like it was meant to be.
Finally, I lift my eyes to peer at myself through the mirror.
My dirty-blonde hair—which has lighter streaks in it from the time spent in the sun in Italy—is down in curls. My skin is tanner and the freckles are more prominent along my nose. The ivory, lacy dress reaches to my knee. It’s not a wedding dress, because it felt strange to wear one when this is only a ring ceremony, but I love this dress. It makes me feel elegant and beautiful.
“I really like it, too,” I say.
Jane tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I’m so happy for you, Ellie.”
A grin forms on my face. “Thank you. I’m happy for you, too.”
Hearing my mom sniffle, I turn to her.
“I wish your dad was here,” she says, her eyes glistening.
Tears well up in my eyes. “Me too.”
She wraps her arms around me in an embrace. Even though it has been months since I found out, I still can’t believe she’s alive. That I’m able to hug her again.
“Don’t you two dare cry,” Sophie says. “I’ll be pissed if you mess up your makeup.” Her bottom lip juts out in a pout before grinning.
I laugh, letting go of my mom. “You’re right. Thank you, for everything.” I wrap her in my arms next, my anxiety with touch under the surface, but more manageable now with those I care about.
She returns my hug. “Thank you for letting me be a part of today.” She squeezes me then lets me go.
Sophie turns her head and grabs Alice and Jane, bringing them into a group hug. A laugh bursts from me as she almost knocks us over.
Ellie darling, I don’t think I can’t wait much longer. Are you done yet?
I fight back a giggle.
I can detect his impatience through our bond, but I can also feel his love. It’s been so interesting sensing everything Ash feels. Our relationship has deepened even more since I marked him.
I’ll be out soon. You can wait a bit longer.
He huffs, and I have to bite back a laugh.
Sophie’s eyes narrow. “You’re getting that dreamy look on your face. Are you talking to Ash?”
I give her a sheepish smile.
She sighs. “Tell him it’s time before he goes all alpha on us.”
By “time”, I thought Sophie meant time for our ring ceremony. Not for Ash to come here, to my room. But apparently, they had discussed this beforehand—all of them did. Sophie stuffs a small bag in the hidden pocket of my dress and sends me a wink before heading out. The rest follow close behind.
My mom is the last, but instead of leaving, she turns to me and takes my hands into hers. “You know, your father and I were destined mates.”
My eyes tear up as I clench her hands. “Really?”
She nods. “Like every couple, we had our ups and downs, but we were lucky to have found each other. Over the past few months, I’ve gotten to know Ash, and from what I’ve seen, he seems like a good man who will always love and protect you. Always put you first. Just like your father did for me. I know he would approve of him—after giving him a hard time, of course.”
Saving Ellie (Lycans Book 1) Page 39