The Fox's Heart

Chapter 16 - Elora POV (Part 2)

Time felt distorted as they waited, the quiet of the woods surrounding them only broken by the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a bird. Elora kept glancing back toward the treeline, her heart still racing from the fight, but more from the thought of what could have happened if she hadn’t been driving by at that time.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, headlights pierced through the shadows, illuminating the clearing. Her father’s car screeched to a halt, and she bolted from her position, rushing toward it. As soon as he stepped out, she and her brother launched herself into his arms.

“Thank the moon,” he murmured, holding her tightly. “I was so worried.”

“I’m fine, Dad. Really. We all are,” she reassured him, stepping back to let him see the boys in the car.

Thomas let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, “Rome! You scared us half to death!”

“Sorry, Dad!” Rome said, unable to let go of his dad.

As they reunited, Elora looked up to see Alpha Gavin approaching with a group of warriors. Her heart sank slightly at the intensity of his serious expression, he was out for blood.

“Dad” Dimitri called and ran into his father's arms. Alpha Gavin hugged Dimitri as tightly as possible.

Alpha Gavin finally put down his son and grabbed his hand, and they walked toward Elora and her father. His expression hardened as he approached, his eyes scanning the area. “What happened?” he asked, his voice low and commanding.

Elora stepped forward, recounting the details of the encounter—how she was driving and saw the men dragging her brother and Dimitri, how she got out of her car and chased after them and how the fight that ensued. “ I was able to knock both of them out, so I quickly ran to my car to get my snow chains to tie them up with but when I returned they were gone” she admitted, feeling a sense of guilt wash over her.

Dimitri, his voice filled with awe, piped up, “The fox saved me! It was so fast and brave!”

Alpha Gavin raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “The fox, you say? I see,” he said, giving Elora a knowing nod. She knew Alpha Gavin would make Dimitri keep her identity a secret.

“We’ll send a search party to find those men. They won’t get away.” Alpha Gavin only had to glance at the werewolf warriors, who immediately sprang into action heading in the direction Elora had pointed to.

Elora felt a sense of relief that the hunt for the kidnappers was now out of her hands.

“Do you want me to take Dimitri back with us?” Elora’s father asked Alpha Gavin.

“I would appreciate that, Thomas,” Alpha Gavin said.

Dimitri asked to go in Elora’s car.

Elora glanced back at Dimitri, her heart softening at the hopeful look in his eyes. As much as she wanted to get back on the road, his words tugged at her.

Then her own little brother piled on, “I need you, Elora. Please come home, just for a little bit,” Rome begged, his voice small and trembling.

She sighed, knowing she couldn’t deny him. After everything that had happened tonight, leaving him so soon felt wrong. She wanted to stay, if only for a day or two, to be sure he was truly safe. Her gaze flickered back to Dimitri, who watched her expectantly, and she felt her resolve melt. “Alright, Dimitri,” she finally said, “I’ll take you home.”

Just as she finished, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the trees. She turned and saw Talon, Falon, Calin, and Ryder emerging from the shadows, their eyes wide with concern. Dimitri’s face lit up, and he sprinted toward his half-brothers, who enveloped him in protective embraces.

“Dimitri!” They said, taking turns to hold him close, relief visible on all their faces.

Alpha Gavin, standing beside Elora, gave a slight nod in her direction. “You can thank Elora for that. She saved the boys.”

At this, the triplets turned toward her, each of them momentarily stunned. Talon’s brow furrowed, and Calin’s mouth dropped open, while Falon’s eyes flashed with an intense, unreadable look.

Ryder’s face softened as he walked up to Elora. Without warning, he pulled her into a hug, wrapping her in an embrace that chased away the remnants of tension in her body. She hadn’t realized how much she’d needed it until her arms were around him, the warmth grounding her. “Thank you,” Ryder whispered, his voice thick with gratitude. “You didn’t just protect them—you risked everything.”

Elora could not help but glance at the triplets. Talon and Calin were holding Falon back. “Not now,” Calin murmured to him, barely audible.

As she pulled back, feeling a little self-conscious, Ryder studied her face. “You’re not just a doctor, Elora. You’re a warrior. Tonight, you proved that.”

She shrugged, trying to downplay it. “I just did what anyone else would have done.”

Ryder shook his head, clearly not convinced. “No, you did more. It’s not easy to fight against another werewolf, let alone two. You’re stronger than you realize.” His words made her heart flutter, but she quickly brushed it off, unwilling to linger on the thought.

Elora looked back at Alpha Gavin. “I’ll take Dimitri home,” she said, her voice steady. Ryder’s gaze didn’t leave her, and before she could say anything further, he volunteered, “I’ll go with her.”

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she nodded. Ryder helped her repack her trunk. She then turned to Rome and Elora put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll see you soon, alright?” she promised, and he reluctantly nodded and left with their dad.

Once everyone was settled, she started the engine, her heart calming as they began the drive. Ryder sat beside her, his presence quiet but reassuring.

Ryder leaned back, watching her carefully. “You know, I know you are already this incredible doctor, but tonight you showed there’s so much more to you. I hope one day you’ll see that too.” His words struck something deep within her, and for a moment, she felt the weight of them settle over her.

She bit her lip, keeping her focus on the road, but Ryder’s words lingered in her mind. She had always enjoyed taking care of others, and her identity was now more wrapped up in her role as the pack’s doctor than the pathetic girl who was enemy number one against the future alphas.

When they finally arrived at the pack house, she felt both weary and strangely at peace. She glanced back at Dimitri, who had fallen asleep in the back seat, his small form curled up in the dim light from the streetlight.

Ryder turned to her with a gentle smile. “You did good tonight, Elora. I hope you remember that.”

As she nodded, a small sense of pride finally bloomed within her. Then he gave her a quick kiss before getting out of the car. He opened the door to the back seat and lifted up the sleeping Dimitri before closing the door and heading inside.