The Fox's Heart

Chapter 16 - Elora POV (Part 1)

***Warning: Violence***



Elora gripped the steering wheel tightly, her car's engine humming softly as she navigated the winding road away from the pack territory. She was kicking herself for having to turn around and head back to the hospital and get the photos of her and Talia during their time at college out of her locker. Talia would have given her unending grief if she had to bring them to Elora when she visited, so Elora figured it was best to save herself some drama and turn around and retrieve them herself.

It was surreal, the way the familiar trees blurred past her window, each one a reminder of the life she was leaving behind. As she got closer and closer to the pack border, a weight lifted from her chest, but it was quickly replaced with a knot of anxiety. She could barely breathe, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty about the future.

A flash of movement caught her eye just beyond the treeline. Instinctively, she slowed down and turned her head, her heart pounding in her chest. A chill ran down her spine as she squinted into the dense foliage. Two figures emerged, dragging two boys along the ground. Panic surged through her veins as her gaze locked onto one of the boys—Rome, her little brother.

Without thinking, she slammed the brakes and jerked the gear into park. Her heart raced, a cocktail of fear and adrenaline coursing through her. “No, no, no!” she whispered to herself, urgency propelling her out of the car. She didn’t bother to close the door; all she could think about was reaching Rome before it was too late.

Elora sprinted toward the treeline, her footsteps muted on the soft earth. She pushed branches aside, careful to keep her presence hidden. As she drew closer, the muffled sounds of her brother’s cries pierced the air, laced with desperation. Each sob tugged at her heart, fueling her determination to rescue him.

Creeping through the underbrush, Elora finally caught sight of the men. They were burly figures, clad in dark clothing, their faces twisted in frustration as they struggled to keep the boys in check. Rome was fighting back with all his might, thrashing and kicking, but his small frame was no match for the brute strength of the men.

“Stop squirming, you little brat!” one of the men barked, tightening his grip on Rome’s arm.

“Let him go!” Elora wanted to scream, but she forced herself to remain silent, knowing that revealing her presence could endanger both boys.

Suddenly, the man holding Dimitri shouted at his partner, “Just get rid of him! I’m sure the one I have is the one we need anyway!”

Elora’s heart dropped, and every muscle in her body tensed. The words echoed in her mind, sharp and terrifying. The man pulled out a silver bladed knife. They planned to kill her brother. She had to act—now.

In a burst of adrenaline, Elora closed the distance. Elora lunged forward, leaping from the cover of the trees. The men turned, finally hearing her approach and she knocked the knife from his hands. This also caused the kidnapper to stumble back, allowing Rome to pull away from his grip.

“Run, Rome! Go!” she urged, her voice cutting through the chaos. The boy’s eyes widened, and without a second thought, he darted away.

The man roared in fury, lunging for Elora as he turned into a werewolf, but she was ready. With a swift kick, she connected with his legs, causing him to stumble. Adrenaline coursed through her, and she made the split-second decision to go for the knife. She had packed her knife away, not thinking she would need it anytime soon. She swiftly grabbed the knife and turned and stabbed the wolf in the shoulder. He let out a sharp whine as he tried to reach over with his mouth and pull it out.

Elora kicked the knife, digging it in deeper into the wolf, causing him to crumble on the forest floor. Passed out and bleeding out.

“You’re going to regret that!” the other man growled, eyes dark with malice.

The other man roared in fury, lunging for Elora as he transformed into a werewolf, the change swift and brutal. She barely had time to react, adrenaline spiking as she prepared for the fight. “Dimitri! Run!” she shouted, panic flooding her voice. “Get to safety!”

Dimitri took off, Elora felt relief knowing the boys were safe for now.

This wolf was stronger than his friend and he was better at evading her attacks. Elora could take on an Omega wolf like his friend had been, but this wolf was not an Omega and was most likely a Gamma or Delta. With no other choice her body shifted, fur sprouting, senses sharpening. She was a werefox now, sleek and agile, ready to face the beast before her. She would sacrifice her secret for the boys safety.

The werewolf lunged at her, teeth bared, but Elora sidestepped, using her smaller form to her advantage. She swiped at him with her claws, catching him on the side. He howled, rage igniting in his eyes, and came at her again. They clashed in a flurry of fur and growls, a chaotic dance of predator and prey. Elora dodged and weaved faster than she could have in her human form.

With each strike, she felt the power coursing through her, the knowledge that she was fighting not just for herself, but for her brother. She landed a solid blow, knocking the other wolf off balance, and in a moment of pure instinct, she leaped onto his back and bit down on his neck.

He struggled beneath her, but Elora held her ground. Not today, she thought, channeling all her energy into this final strike. Then his body went limp beneath her.

Panting, Elora shifted back to her human form, the cool air biting against her skin. She sprinted back to her car, her mind racing. She needed something to tie them up until help arrived. Quickly pulling everything from her trunk, she rummaged through until she found some chains she used for putting on her tires in the winter.

Catching movement in the front of her car, she spotted Rome and Dimitri safe, crouching low to stay hidden in her car, their eyes wide with fear but relief washing over their faces when they saw her. “You’re okay!” she whispered. “I’ll be back to check on you. Stay put!”

With that, she dashed back toward the scene of the fight, her heart pounding with urgency. She needed to secure the men and keep them from escaping until the pack arrived.

But as she reached the clearing, dread settled in her stomach. The ground was empty. The two men were gone, vanished into the woods without a trace.

“Elora!” Rome's voice called from the car, pulling her back to the present.

Elora's heart swelled with relief as she wrapped her arms around Rome and Dimitri. The warmth of their embrace grounded her, and for a moment, the chaos faded away. She could feel the rapid beats of their hearts against her, a steady reminder that they were safe—at least for now. After a few minutes, she pulled back, looking into their wide, terrified eyes. “I’m so glad you’re both okay,” she whispered, brushing a thumb across Rome’s cheek.

“Is it over?” Dimitri asked, his voice small and shaky.

“For now, yes,” Elora replied, her own heart racing as she pulled her phone from her pocket. “But we need to call my dad. He’ll want to know I found you both.”

Elora dialed her father's number, her hands trembling slightly from adrenaline, as she pressed the phone to her ear. It rang twice before he picked up, his voice frantic. “Elora! Where are you? Rome is missing!”

“Dad, it’s okay! I found him. He’s safe,” Elora said quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. “I’m with him and Dimitri. They were taken by two men, but I scared them off.”

“Are you sure you’re all okay?” her father asked, his voice trembling with concern.

“We’re fine. Just shaken up. But you need to call Alpha Gavin. Tell him where we are and to send some soldiers to search for those men. They can’t get away.”

There was a pause on the line before her father responded, “I’ll call him right now.” Elora then gave him directions to her location before her father added.” Stay put, Elora. We’ll be there soon.”

“Okay, Dad. I love you,” she said, feeling a mixture of relief and dread wash over her. She hung up and turned to the boys, who were still clutching each other. “Stay in the car, alright? I need to keep an eye out for my dad and Alpha Gavin.”