She looked back realizing that it was Ryne’s hand grabbing her lower leg, not some sewer monster. “What?” Frowning in irritation, she jerked her leg away.
“We’re getting near the end of the tunnel!”
Mel peered ahead, but saw no sign of light. “How do you know?”
“The air’s different.”
She sniffed. It still stunk to her. “Are you sure?”
“Yep. It’s slightly fresher which means an exit is coming up.”
For a moment she contemplated gloating that she was the one to lead them to the exit, but Ryne continued speaking, and the opportunity passed. “When we get out, I have to find a telephone fast. It must be past my check-in and Kane will be worried sick. I don’t want him doing anything rash.”
She furrowed her brow, trying to recall all that Ryne had told her. “He’s your brother, right?”
“Uh-huh. And if I don’t contact him soon, he’s going to assume the worst. He’s probably already dispersed most of the pack. I have to tell him to hold off on phase two. There’s still a chance I can fix this mess.”
“Phase two? That’s where they all...” She hesitated to speak the words. “Take poison?”
She could almost make out Ryne’s grim expression. “Yes. The pack self-destructs so when outsiders come looking for a bunch of werewolves, they’ll only find dead bodies.”
“But wouldn’t autopsies show that they weren’t human?”
“No. When a werewolf dies, within minutes the trace elements of magick that make us what we are disappear.”
They were both silent for a moment then Ryne sighed heavily. “Anyway, as we near the entrance, be as quiet as possible just in case anyone is about.”
Mel nodded and resumed crawling as quickly as possible, all too aware of the deadline they were operating under.
*****
Helen wrapped her arm around Kane’s waist as the last of the vans drove out of sight. She patted the Alpha on his back, offering what little comfort she could. He’d just watched most of his pack leave, including his mate and unborn child. The feeling of loss must be incredible, even worse than when her Zack had died. It had been difficult—for weeks she’d been inconsolable; the aching void within making her wish she too were dead. But at least she’d still had her daughters and the rest of the pack. For Kane, however, he was on the verge of losing everything. It was an Alpha’s worst nightmare. Sworn to protect his pack, the feeling of failure would be overwhelming.
“Kane?”
“Hmm?” His gaze didn’t leave the driveway, despite the fact that it was now empty.
“Do you want me to go around and hand out the vials?” It was a grim job, handing your friends a packet of death, but she’d do it, to spare him. Kane had been good to her and she owed him. When she’d found herself widowed and no longer Alpha female, Kane could have insisted that she leave, but he hadn’t. Instead he’d let her stay in the pack house and keep many of her previous duties. The familiarity had been a great comfort to her until she’d found her feet again.
“No, I’ll do it. It’s my job.” He finally looked at her and gave a half smile. “You know, Helen, I keep thinking that if I stay here and look hard enough, I’ll still be able to see them; that they won’t really be gone.”
Helen gave him a one armed hug. “I know. When we buried Zach, you had to drag me from the cemetery. As long as I stood there, he seemed nearer. By walking away, I had to admit to the fact that we were separated forever.”
Kane looked down the road once more. “Helen?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you believe in an afterlife?”
“I think so. I can’t believe that a love as strong as mine was for Zach can just disappear. I like to think that it somehow lives on and we’ll be together again.”
“I hope you’re right, Helen. I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 39
Ryne watched the darkness of the tunnel slowly dissipate as the entrance approached. Apparently the sun hadn’t set yet. Melody gave a tiny squeal of excitement and crawled even faster, the movement of her feet kicking the filthy water into his face more than ever. He slowed his pace, dropping farther behind her to avoid the splashing sludge.
When she reached the end of the tunnel, a relieved sigh echoed back towards him. Ryne smiled watching her climb out, while thinking she really had been a trooper throughout their underground journey, especially since he strongly suspected she didn’t like dark, enclosed places.
He could see her legs as she stood at the tunnel’s entrance. She lifted one foot as if to step away, but then stopped mid-stride. He paused, somehow sensing all was not well though unsure what it might be. The answer came soon enough as he heard Aldrich’s self-satisfied voice.