Page 54 of Bound By Love
Elyse was still alive, which meant there was hope even as blood stained the shirt and continued to pool around them. She wouldn’t let Elyse or Saxon die, just as she’d refused to die when the Savages pulled her away from Ronan.
At first, when they finally succeeded in separating them, she was convinced her end had come. But the idea of losing her mate had sent her into a fury that would make a berserker cower. She wouldnotdie in this place, and neither would Ronan.
As the Savages tried to tear her sword away, she struck out with fists and fangs. As she bit into them and gleefully inflicted pain, their putrid essence hit her tongue.
That taste lingered, and she was certain she’d always recall it. But that bite had set her free as it immobilized the Savage trying to take her sword.
Once he released her arm, she went after the others carrying her. She hacked and carved at them with the ferocity of a cornered tiger until nothing but ash remained of them.
When the last one holding her dissipated into ash, she hit the ground with a thud that knocked the air from her. But knowing those things would come back at her propelled her to her feet.
She stabbed the next Savage who lunged at her as Ronan broke free of the mass surrounding him. His chest heaved, and blood coated him, but when their eyes locked, she felt his relief.
All she wanted was to reconnect with her mate, but as the Savages started to fall in between them again, she spotted the monsters overtaking Saxon and Elyse. She looked back to Ronan, but the Savages had thinned out enough that he easily slaughtered them.
Feeling like she was leaving a piece of her soul, Kadence turned away from Ronan to help save the friends who had become family.
Now, she leaned protectively over Elyse as Ronan, Logan, Elena, other members of the Alliance, and Vicky and Willow’s family worked to destroy the remaining Savages. She turned away from Roland’s body as tears stung her eyes.
She’d spent so much time with the man over the years, he’d become like an uncle to her, and she loved him. She’d told him not to come here, they needed him to help lead if they didn’t return, but he’d strapped on his best prosthetic leg and told her there were plenty of other hunter elders and Alliance members to lead if he died.
He’d always been so stubborn. And he’d died exactly how he wanted to, in the field and fighting against their enemies.
She’d miss him so much, but he’d gone out on his terms. It was what he deserved, even if she wished it hadn’t been at the hands of these bastards.
But there was nothing they could do for Roland anymore. They could still save Elyse and Saxon if they got them out of here and they received some blood.
“We have to move,” she told Saxon though she wasn’t sure how capable he was as he swayed a little.
“She’s… she’s—”
“She’s going to live,” Kadence assured him when his words slurred. “She’s losing a lot of blood and needs more. The stake nicked her heart, but it wasn’t a direct hit; she’d be dead if it was. So would you.”
Straightening his shoulders, Saxon slid his arms under his mate to lift her. Kadence rested her hand on his shoulder to stop him.
“Let someone else carry her.”
“No,” Saxon hissed from between his teeth.
It was pointless to argue with him; besides, she would have insisted on carrying Ronan out of here too. Bringing his wrist to his mouth, he bit down and drew blood before placing it over Elyse’s mouth.
“You need blood too.” It was pointless to tell him this, he’d drain himself dry to save Elyse, but it wouldn’t do either of them any good if he dropped before getting her to safety. “Take her above. Take as many injured with you as possible, and don’t forget there’s blood in the vehicles.”
She had no idea how they’d get out of here without drawing the attention of the humans. They were all a bloody, filthy mess, but Saxon and whoever went with him would have to handle that.
“I can’t leave this fight,” Saxon said.
“Yes, you can,” Ronan said as he stalked toward them.
He had a strip of cloth tied around him to staunch some of his bleeding. Red stained the fabric, but it wasn’t a big stain. He limped a little as he walked, but fire burned in his eyes, and he was far from out of this battle.
“Take her somewhere she can heal and get some of the other wounded out of here. You also have to do it before you’re too weak to change the humans’ memories.” Ronan clasped Saxon on the shoulder and squeezed it. “You’ve done all you can to help here. Now it’s time for you to help in another way.”
Saxon looked about to protest, but he closed his eyes before giving a brisk nod. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”
“Do what’s best for you, your mate, and the Alliance,” Ronan said. “A couple of leaders have to escape this and continue the fight if we lose. You are a leader, Saxon.”
The look in Saxon’s eyes said he didn’t agree, but he didn’t argue. Kadence didn’t doubt that once he got Elyse and any other injured he could get out of here, he would be back as soon as he was sure his mate was okay.
