“Alright, we’re ready to pull you out. Let me know if anything hurts as we go,” I say.
He agrees, and I radio my teammates that it’s time to get us out.
They pull slowly, and Cassius tucks his limbs in as much as possible, but he winces as they lift us.
“Are you doing okay?” I ask.
“Fine, fine,” he says, breathing fast.
There’s nothing I can do about the strain of dislodging him. Lifting him directly up is our best option to avoid further injury.
Still, it feels like it takes forever to get him unstuck since all I can do is watch as we drag him out.
He pops free all at once, and I hold on to steady him. Cassius clutches my arms and closes his eyes.
Now that I can see past him, I’m glad he got trapped where he did.
The gap widens beyond this point, and it looks like a straight drop. My light doesn’t even reach the bottom, so who knows how much deeper the hole goes.
“Are you alright? Okay to keep going?” I ask.
“Yes, let’s get out of here.”
“Good idea. How are your arms and legs? Are you able to move them?”
“They’re a little numb, but I can feel them. Based on the pins and needles, I think they’ll be fine in a few minutes,” he says.
With Cassius’s help, we wind our way back up, getting through the narrow spots with little trouble.
Henri and Cato hoist us out, and we check Cassius over in the light. He stares at his alpha the whole time, who watches him back.
There isn’t anything that needs immediate treatment, so we readjust our lines and climb down.
As soon as Cassius lands, Titus is there looking over his omega before carefully hugging him. Cassius hugs him back fiercely, and we give them a few minutes to themselves, trying not to listen in on their private words.
Orion helps Cassius to the car to bring him to the hospital.
Titus thanks us as we get them in the truck, “I’m sorry about before, I wasn’t thinking clearly. If I didn’t have the bond to know he was okay, I’m sure I would have been even worse. Thank you for saving my omega when I couldn’t.”
Charm reassures him we didn’t take anything personally.
I undo my harness and watch as they drive off.
Another successful rescue—only minor injuries and two mates were happily reunited.
So why do I feel so hollow?
Chapter 53
Orion
Ipace around my office while my packmates wait for me to start. We need to get this pack meeting done before Hestia is out of the shower.
I don’t know how to begin though.
This will change everything.
“Look, we’re all thinking the same thing, but what are we going to do about it?” Charm finally says, stopping me in my tracks.
