Chapter 203

Grayson’s POV

I blinked open my eyes, my vision blurry. For a moment, I was disoriented—the world a haze of muffled sounds and indistinct shapes. My body felt heavy, sluggish, and a faint taste of blood lingered on my tongue. The smell of burnt metal and chemicals stung my nose.

Urgent, frantic voices cut through the fog. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my side, forcing me back down. I groaned, my head throbbing in time with my heartbeat.

“Grayson.” A firm hand gripped my shoulder, and I flinched. My vision cleared enough to see Rickon crouched beside me, worry etched on his face. His dark hair was disheveled, and blood smeared one side of his face—though it didn’t appear to be his.

“Grayson,” Rickon repeated, his voice steady but urgent. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

I blinked up at him, my mind struggling to process his words. “Elaine…” I croaked, my throat raw from the gas and explosion. I turned my head, searching for her amidst the chaos.

“She’s okay,” Rickon said quickly, his hand tightening on my shoulder as if to anchor me. “Monica’s with her. She’s helping her up. You need to focus. Can you stand?”

Through the haze, I spotted them—Monica kneeling beside Elaine, supporting her as she rose. Elaine leaned heavily on Monica. Relief washed over me, though it was short-lived.

The ground trembled again, and the sound of twisting metal echoed through the space. The air was thick with smoke, making it difficult to see and breathe. My wolf stirred weakly within me, still too subdued to offer any real strength.

“Grayson,” Rickon snapped, giving me a slight shake. “Move!”

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stand. Every movement intensified the pain in my ribs. My legs felt like lead, but I ignored it. I had to. Rickon slipped an arm around me, pulling me upright. His grip was firm and steady, his body tense.

“Easy,” he muttered, his tone sharp but not unkind. “You look like you’re about to pass out. Don’t make me carry you.”

“I can walk,” I said, gritting my teeth. I straightened as much as my ribs allowed, protecting the injured side. “What the hell is going on?”

Rickon didn’t answer immediately, his eyes scanning the debris-filled corridor beyond the vault. The air was thick with smoke and the metallic tang of blood; faint gunfire echoed in the distance. He tugged me forward, his pace brisk. I glanced back to ensure Elaine was okay; two men supported her, with Monica behind.

My brain struggled to process the situation. Then I realized the explosion had been the vault being blown up. Rickon finally spoke: “It’s a damn war zone out here.”

Savage growls filled the space.

“What is going on?” I asked again.

“Those are my wolves,” Rickon said grimly. “And the Pierce pack. Liam’s men realized we were here, so I ordered an attack while the rest of us found you.”

I froze. “Pierce?” The name hit me harder than any blow I’d received. Ava?

Rickon pulled me forward. “Yes, Ava was involved,” he said, his tone hurried but calm. “She asked her mother to let her use their pack to track you down. Someone found your location, she came here, and then Evelyn followed. Now, we can’t find either of them.”

His words blurred, but the only thing that truly registered was that Ava had been here. She’d come to find me. This sparked a fire within me, stronger than the pain.

I pulled free from Rickon’s grip, straightening as much as possible. “I can manage on my own,” I said flatly, the pain in my ribs now an afterthought.

Rickon hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he assessed me. He must have seen something in my expression because he didn’t argue. He stepped aside, gesturing for me to proceed.

I turned and saw two of Rickon’s men supporting Elaine. Monica followed closely, her face pale but determined. The growls were louder, accompanied by sporadic gunfire. My senses sharpened, adrenaline overriding the pain.

Then Rickon’s words registered fully. I stopped. “What do you mean you can’t find her?”

“Grayson,” Rickon said firmly, his voice carrying authority. “We need to get you to a hospital. Whatever you’re thinking of doing, don’t—”

“Don’t?” I repeated, my voice low and dangerous.

Before Rickon could respond, Elaine spoke. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice trembling.

I ignored her. My focus was on Rickon. “I’m going to find Ava.”

Rickon swore, stepping in front of me. “Grayson, listen to me. Ava is—” He paused, his head tilting slightly, his eyes unfocused for a moment. Then his expression shifted, a mix of relief and frustration. “Isabella just sent a message through the psychic link. Ava’s with her.”

The weight on my chest lifted, replaced by intense relief. I exhaled slowly, nodding. “She’s outside.”

“Yes,” Rickon confirmed. “Now let’s move before we get killed.”

I turned, focusing on the path ahead. Each step was a struggle, but the thought of Ava kept me moving. What would I say to her?

A sudden snarl cut through my thoughts. Three figures burst into view, their movements swift and predatory—Liam’s men.

Rickon reacted instantly, shoving me back as one of his wolves attacked. The enemy shifter stood no chance. The other two fared no better—Rickon’s men moved with seamless coordination.

I didn’t stop to watch. Rickon barked an order, and we pressed forward, the growls and gunfire fading as we neared the exit. My thoughts returned to Ava. Would she be angry? Relieved?

Another ambush occurred, this time with gunmen. Rickon shifted mid-charge, his wolf form barreling through them. I pulled Elaine behind a crumbled wall as gunfire rang out.

Rickon tore through the enemy. His wolf form was a blur of fur, teeth, and fury. Liam’s men fell, their snarls and shouts silenced. Blood slicked the ground.

I pulled Elaine up. “Hold on,” I said, shielding her as we pressed forward. Every step felt like wading through quicksand, but I couldn’t stop.

More shadows appeared—two men with guns raised. I ducked, pulling Elaine down. Gunfire echoed, but Rickon was faster. He charged, killing one gunman with brutal efficiency, then the other.

I pushed Elaine forward. “Come on,” I urged, my voice tight. My ribs screamed, but I ignored the pain, focusing on the faint light ahead—the exit.

Gunfire, snarls, and explosions rumbled behind us as Rickon and his men finished off the remaining guards. Finally, cold night air hit my face as I stumbled into the open, dragging Elaine with me. The scene outside was chaotic—a battlefield of wolves, men, and fire.

I scanned the crowd frantically, searching for Ava. Instead, I saw Isabella, her face pale and streaked with dirt. Relief flickered in her eyes when she saw me, but there was no sign of Ava.

A growl rumbled behind me, followed by the sickening crack of bones. I turned to see one of Rickon’s men shifting back to human form, his face bloodied. His eyes met mine; his expression betrayed him. The tension in his jaw, the way his eyes wouldn't meet mine—it was a punch to the gut. Ava wasn't outside.

I opened my mouth to demand answers, but Rickon spoke first. “Grayson—”

Before he could finish, a deafening explosion ripped through the air, knocking me to the ground. Flames erupted from the factory, roaring into the night sky. The sound was deafening—shattering glass, crumbling metal, panicked screams.

I froze. Ice cold.

The factory was engulfed in flames, collapsing… and Ava was still inside.