Chapter 125

Elena's POV

Pain radiated through my body as I curled up on the floor, tasting blood in my mouth. The security guard's boot connected with my ribs again, making me gasp. Emily's shrill accusations echoed in the hallway.

Through the haze of pain, I heard thundering footsteps racing up the stairs. A familiar voice roared, "Get away from her!"

Jason. Relief flooded through me despite the agony.

I watched as he charged forward like an avenging angel, slamming the first guard into the wall with enough force to crack the plaster.

"Jason!" I called out, my voice weak but urgent. "Forget about me! Grab Emily and Victoria, don't let them escape!"

When Emily saw Jason, her eyes widened in recognition. "She has an accomplice!" she shrieked, backing away. "Stop him! Don't let him leave this place!"

More security personnel poured into the hallway. I watched helplessly as they surrounded Jason while two others continued their assault on me. A vicious kick landed on my abdomen, sending a fresh wave of agony through my body. From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed Emily supporting Victoria as they prepared to leave.

"Go!" I gasped, shoving weakly at Jason's leg when he moved closer to me. "Please, Jason, go after them!"

I could see the conflict in his eyes – torn between catching Emily and protecting me. Before he could decide, another guard lunged forward, attempting to attack me again.

Jason's face contorted with rage. "Fuck this," he growled, abandoning any thought of pursuing Emily and Victoria. He knocked the guard aside and lunged toward me, determined to protect me.

I wanted to scream at him to leave me and go after them, but the pressure on my chest only allowed shallow, painful breaths. Emily and Victoria were escaping.

Richard's POV

I stepped out of my car, rage pulsing through my veins like liquid fire. Minutes ago, my spy in the Collins family had called, reporting Elena's location and the commotion at the party.

Golden light flashed in my eyes as I struggled to contain my anger.

"Alpha," Ethan approached, "our team has the mansion surrounded. All exits are secured."

I nodded sharply, just as two women burst through the rear exit. I recognized them immediately – Victoria and Emily.

Emily froze when she saw me, her face draining of color. Victoria was bleeding from her chest, swaying unsteadily on her feet.

"Richard," Emily stammered, "thank God you're here! That crazy woman, she—"

"Silence," I commanded, my voice barely human. "Take them," I ordered my security team.

Emily collapsed to her knees, finally understanding that her actions had been exposed. "Richard, please, I can explain—"

I ignored her pathetic pleas, already striding toward the mansion interior.

Inside, chaos reigned. Guests were screaming, security personnel were shouting into radios, and somewhere above, I could smell Elena's fear and Jason's rage.

A gunshot rang out – one of my men clearing a path. The crowd froze, all eyes turning toward me.

"The next person who moves dies," I announced coldly, my voice carrying through the suddenly silent hall.

I took the stairs two at a time, following the scent of Elena's blood. When I reached the second floor, I saw a scene that filled me with uncontrollable anger.

Six security guards were beating Jason, while two others restrained Elena.

Rage exploded through me. I grabbed the nearest guard, lifting him by his throat before hurling him across the hallway. He hit the opposite wall with a sickening crack and slumped to the floor.

"Richard!" Jason's voice was strained. "Richard! Help Elena!"

I growled, "Anyone who touches her again dies where they stand."

Elena's POV

The pressure on my hands suddenly vanished. Through blurred vision, I saw Richard standing in the hallway, his face a mask of cold fury. Guards scattered before him like leaves in a hurricane.

He strode toward me, emanating an aura of barely contained violence. When he reached me, his expression darkened further.

"Why did you come here?" he demanded, voice like ice.

I looked up at him, pain shooting through my body with each breath. A horrible suspicion formed in my mind. Had Richard known all along? Was this a trap he had set to catch Emily and Victoria?

"I came here for the reason... you know now, don't you?" I managed, my voice weak.

Richard's eyes narrowed dangerously. Behind him, Jason was struggling to his feet, blood streaming from a cut on his mouth.

"Richard," I whispered, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. "This life... I owe you. Whatever revenge you want to take on me, I deserve it. But please... take care of our children..."

A violent cough wracked my body, and I felt warm blood spatter from my lips. The room began to spin, darkness creeping in from the edges of my vision.

The last thing I saw was Richard's face, his expression shifting from anger to something that almost looked like concern.

Richard's POV

"What the fuck are you waiting for?" Jason shouted at me. "She needs medical attention now!"

I ignored him, kneeling beside Elena. Her face was alarmingly pale, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Something twisted painfully in my chest.

Without a word, I gathered her into my arms. She felt so light, so fragile. Her head lolled against my shoulder, her breathing shallow and irregular.

"If you ever dare to take her away again," I said to Jason as I was leaving, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "I will personally tear your throat out."

I carried Elena's unconscious form against my chest. Everyone parted before me, no one daring to block my path.

I carried Elena back home. The children looked worried when they saw this scene. I simply explained that their mommy was just sleeping, not wanting to worry them further. I took Elena to the third floor and called the pack's doctor to treat her. After receiving a message from Ethan, I went to my study.