#Chapter 195 – Between life and death

Moments after I meet Rafe on the field, a group of us are rushing back towards the house. Rafe is shouting commands down the line of the radio on his shoulder, ordering one of the re-fueled helicopters to come to the back lawn.

I’m at the head of the group, leading the way back to the house, Rafe behind me, a collection of medics moving swiftly behind him, carrying their medical packs and a stretcher. My boys trail after the medics, holding each other’s hands.

They were quite brave before – upstairs, when they did their jobs in the interrogation of my father and Joyce. But now, I know that they’re wondering the same thing I am. Was it worth it? Was it worth the extra time it took, to discredit them – to end the war?

Or should we have just used the time to concentrate on getting Victor out?

Or, on just saying our goodbyes?

I feel my face drain of color at the idea and push myself faster through the door of the house, down the hallway, down the stairs, into the basement.

I don’t let myself think it. Don’t let it even be a possibility. That he might have…

While we were gone…

I sprint to the back of the room, gasping as I arrive at the open door to Victor’s cell –

He’s there, of course, but so pale –

I fall to my knees next to him, taking his cold face in my hands, whispering his name –

But there…yes. His eyes are closed, but I feel the faint puff of his breath against my fingers as they press against his lips.

He’s still breathing, barely – but he’s here.

look directly at Rafe, who

alive,” I

me by the arm and beginning to stand. I work to shake him off but he looks at me seriously. “Let them do

them and understand. Then, I allow Rafe to help me to my feet and step back. I’ll only be in their way if I stay as close to Victor

his vitals and work to see if they can move him, but any movement elicits a groan from him.

need a medical degree to know that Victor’s situation is

on each side, and I drape my arms over their shoulders. The three of us

medics work to bandage him while she speaks. “We’re going to patch him up as best we can, as quickly as we can, and

understand, and she turns

say a word as

groan that makes Rafe cover his face with his hand, that makes Alvin’s hand snap up and grab mine. I just stay perfectly still, my eyes trained to his

nod back and head out of the cell, my boys at my side. I don’t look back to check – I know

spinning. It’s not a medical helicopter at all – just one of Victor’s small

Victor’s troops on us as we move. They are a silent mass, but I can almost feel their sadness, their worry, their support. Victor has done so much for them, for these members of his pack. Given them jobs, livelihoods, purpose. He would never, ever abandon them

they would never abandon him. Not

boost to my tired mind and heart as we cross the field and

turns to Rafe and I. “We can take one of you,” she says, looking between us. “The helicopter can’t handle more weight than that. Just

says, and gestures around to the waiting troops.

that he didn’t fight me for it. Because there’s no chance in hell I’m leaving Victor’s side for even a moment until he gets into that hospital. “My

a phone out of his pocket, handing it to me. “Keep in touch,” he says, and then hesitates, looking at his brother. But then he briskly shakes

as tall as his brother’s, almost as strong. “Thank you,” I murmur, my forehead against his chest. He hesitates a

go after just a

fall to one knee to wrap each

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