Chapter 6 Emergency Flight Jaxon's POV The taste of blood and dirt fills my mouth as consciousness creeps back . My head throbs like someone's beating it with a sledgehammer , and every muscle in my body screams in protest as I try to move . ' How long was I out ? ' The sky above is pitch black , no hint of dawn . Could be midnight , could be three in the morning . Terror claws at my chest as I stumble to my feet , my legs shaking . ' She's been in there for hours . Hours with Victoria and the others . ' I sprint toward the warehouse , branches tearing at my clothes , my wolf howling with panic inside my chest . Each step sends shockwaves through my skull , but I don't care . Nothing matters except getting to her . The warehouse door hangs open , creaking in the night breeze . The silence is wrong . Too complete , too empty . I step inside and the smell hits me firstblood , so much blood that the metallic tang coats the back of my throat and makes bile rise in my stomach . My wolf recoils in horror , whimpering like a wounded pup . Then I see her . Moira lies crumpled on the concrete floor like a broken marionette , her body completely exposed , dark crimson stains spreading beneath her in patterns that make my stomach lurch violently . Her skinGod , her skinis a canvas of unspeakable violence . Burns from cigarettes and worse cover her arms and torso in angry red welts . Cuts slice across her ribs , some so deep I can see the white of bone beneath . Bruises bloom across her flesh in shades of purple , black , and sickly yellow , covering nearly every inch of visible skin . Her face ... Christ , her face is barely recognizable . One eye is swollen completely shut , the socket a grotesque purple balloon . Blood crusts around her nose , which sits at an unnatural anglebroken . Her lips are split in multiple places , and dark blood has pooled and dried beneath her head . 21:27 2.93 % " Oh God . Moira , no . The words come out broken , devastated , barely human . This is my sister . My little sister who used to follow me around when we were children , before Dad twisted everything , before I let him poison my mind against her . Before I became a monster . ' What have we done ? What have I done ? ' I drop to my knees beside her , my hands hovering over her broken form , terrified to touch her and cause more damage . Her breathing is so shallow , so labored , that I have to lean close to make sure she's still alive . Each breath sounds wet , rattlinginternal damage . The guilt hits me like a physical blow , doubling me over . " I'm sorry , " I choke out , my voice cracking. " I'm so fucking sorry , Moira . This is my fault . All of it . " Three weeks ago I was part of this . Three weeks ago I would have stood by and watched , told myself she deserved it . The thought makes me retch , acid burning my throat . ' I have to get her help . ' I yank off my jacket with trembling hands and wrap it around her as carefully as possible , trying not to jostle any injuries . Her skin is ice cold , hypothermic cold , and she doesn't react at all when I lift her into my arms . She's completely limp , utterly unconscious , her head lolling against my chest like a rag doll's . ' She's too still . Too quiet . What if she doesn't wake up ? What if I'm too late ? ' My phone shakes violently in my hands as I dial Rosalie's number . It rings once , twice " Jaxon ? What's wrong ? " Her voice is thick with sleep , but alert . She knows I wouldn't call this late unless it was an emergency . " I need you at the helipad with your medical helicopter . Right now . Have the nanny take care of Penelope . " My voice cracks , breaking completely . " Moira - they hurt her bad , Rose . Really bad . She's - she's barely breathing . " " Oh my god . " I hear rustling , the sound of her getting out of bed . " How bad? Jaxon , how bad ? " " She's unconscious . Covered in blood . Broken bones , internal bleedingl don't know " My throat closes up completely . " I don't know if she's going to make it . There's so much blood , 21:27 3.04 % Rose . So much fucking blood . " " I'm heading to the helipad now . The helicopter's already fueledI'll have our medical team meet us there . " Her voice turns sharp , efficient , but I can hear the fear underneath . " We're bringing her to Crimson Eclipse . Get her here now . " " Rose , 1 " " Just get her here safe , baby . We'll fix the rest later . " The line goes dead . I cradle Moira closer to my chest and run for the car , my wolf lending me desperate speed . Her blood soaks through my shirt , warm and sticky against my chest . ' Hold on . Just hold on a little longer . Please , Moira . Please don't die on me . ' **** I screech to a halt at the helipad and see Rosalie running toward the car , her hair flying behind her , still in pajamas with a jacket thrown over them . The Crimson Eclipse pack's medical helicopter sits waiting , rotors already spinning , the sound deafening in the night air . " Jesus , Jaxon , " she breathes when she sees Moira's condition through the car window, her face going completely white . " What did they do to her ?" " Everything , " I choke out as I carefully lift Moira from the passenger seat . Her head lolls back at a sickening angle , and fresh blood drips from her mouth . " Victoria was in charge . " Rosalie's face goes white with understanding , then hardens with rage . " Those fucking monsters . " She helps me carry Moira toward the helicopter , supporting her legs while I hold her torso . " How could theyshe's just a girl . She's just a fucking girl . " " The medic's already on board , " she says as we climb inside , her voice shaking with barely contained fury . " Full medical setup . " The helicopter's cabin has been converted into a mobile ICU . A paramedic in scrubs rushes forward , her face going pale as she takes in Moira's condition . " Jesus Christ , " the medic whispers , then snaps into professional mode . " How long has she been unconscious ? " 21:27 3.15 % " I don't know . At least a few nours . " I sink into a seat , my nands snaking with leftover adrenaline and rage . Rosalie sits beside me and grabs my hand as the medic immediately gets to workchecking vitals , starting IVs , connecting monitoring equipment . The steady beep of the heart monitor is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard , but it's too fast , too erratic . " She's alive , " Rosalie whispers , squeezing my fingers so hard it hurts . " She's going to make it . She has to make it . " The helicopter lifts off into the darkness , carrying my sister toward the only real safety she's ever going to know . ' You got her out . She's safe now . ' But the relief is poisoned by guilt so intense it makes me physically sick . I should have acted sooner . Should have trusted my instincts when I first started having doubts about our family's methods . Should have protected her instead of participating in her torture for years . ' How many times could I have stopped this ? How many times did I choose to look away ? ' I watch the medic work over Moira's still form and make a silent promise , one I'll keep even if it kills me . This ends now . Whatever it takes , I'll make sure she never goes back to that hell . And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make up for what I've done . ***** Unknown's POV The paperwork on my desk explodes into the air as my wolf jerks awake like he's been struck by lightning . My wolf howls inside my mind , one word echoing with desperate , agonizing urgency . ' MATE . ' My brother's chair crashes to the floor across the office . His eyes flash gold , wild and desperate . 21:27 3.27 % " Both of us ? " he snarls , his voice already roughening with his wolf . ' She's hurt . ' The knowledge slams into me like a physical blow . ' Badly hurt . ' "WHO ? " The word tears from my throat in a roar that rattles the windows . " WHO DARES TO HURT MY MATE ? " My brother's fist slams through his desk, wood splintering under the force . " I'll fucking kill them . I'll tear them apart with my bare hands . " The pain hits us both simultaneouslyagony so intense I double over , gasping . It's her pain , transmitted through the bond , and it's killing me . " She's dying , " I choke out , my vision blurring red .. " They're killing her . " " Where ? " My brother's canines have extended , his wolf barely contained . " WHERE IS SHE ? " I close my eyes and let the pull guide me . " South . Moving fast . Helicopter . " " Then we hunt . " His voice is pure Alpha command now , deadly and final . " We find whoever did this to our mate , and we make them pay . " The office door explodes off its hinges as we stride through it , our wolves taking control . A pack member rushes down the hallway , takes one look at our faces , and immediately drops his head in submission before scurrying away . " They have no idea what they've done , " my brother growls , his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority . I nod , my jaw clenched with deadly promise . " When we find them , they'll learn . " ' Hold on , mate . We're coming . ' Our lives will never be the same . 21:27