THE CAGE (The Chosen Series #3)

CH49. ♔f2 exf1=♛+

Isla

Liz alerts me when the others are safely inside, and I ensure that the cabin door is secure. Setting the coordinates to the closest Bradshaw refueling station, I glance at Shay, who nods in understanding and opens the emergency window in the cockpit.

I'm grateful for Alexander's foresight in installing a privacy wall between the cockpit and cabin. It provides added coverage, making what I'm about to do much easier.

"Autopilot activated," Liz informs me, and I sense the helicopter preparing to lift. Shay grins and jumps out first. I follow closely behind, instructing Liz to seal the window as soon as my body is airborne.

I know Griffin will eventually notice my absence, but it will be too late by then, and they will be safe. As I tug on our connection, I'm filled with overwhelming relief and joy. He has his mate and child with him. He will be fine.

My brother has endured his fair share of heartbreak from losing a child, or to be more accurate, children. The knowledge that they are now safe gives me the energy to continue with my plan.

I touch down beside my best friend, feeling the impact reverberate through my body. I rise and crack my neck, releasing some of the tension that lingered from the cold.

Shay bounces on the balls of his feet, unable to hide his eagerness for what he believes is about to happen.

"Bossman is going to be so pissed when he finds out," he whistles, shuffling from foot to foot. I can sense his energy bubbling beneath his skin, his Alpha nature yearning to be released.

The temperature drops, sending tiny shivers along the fine hairs on my arms. The storm is approaching.

"So, is it going to be plan B? Please tell me it's plan B." Shay is practically giddy, throwing punches into the air with his best Mike Tyson impersonation. "Just let me at him. I promise to be gentle. Well, I'll try my best to be gentle."

I turn to look at him, and his expression instantly changes.

"No," he responds, his hands dropping to his sides as he shakes his head.

I remain silent, and he crosses his arms over his chest, a defiant glimmer in his eyes.

The air stirs, and my entire body begins to tingle. I swallow, my senses heightened by the proximity of my bonded. Alexander was following our trail, our connection growing stronger with each passing second.

He was never going to let me leave. 

Even with time on our side, I knew Alexander would follow me wherever I went, and I refused to risk my family any further than I already had.

"You expect me to leave you here alone? What the fuck, Trouble? That's not happening," Shay growls, his amber eyes turning a familiar shade of red.

"He will kill you." Shay's voice is guttural. His wolf speaking. I struggle to find the right words to explain to Shay. I feel Alexander's emotions through the bond, and his rage is suffocating. If he sees Shay, I can't guarantee his safety, and if I were to lose him...

"Like I give a shit. You know we can kill-"

"No." I cut Shay off before he can finish that sentence.

Shay curses and runs a hand through his windblown hair, the blonde strands appearing almost white against the dark clouds forming above us. "When are you going to give up and admit defeat?"

His words sting, but I use the pain to steady myself.

"And don't think you can hide that from me, Trouble," Shay yells, the wind and water muffling some of his volume. He taps his chest where his heart is, giving me a frustrated look. "You know I can feel you," he taps the spot several times, "in here."