The end in sight.

[Pablo]

Consciousness slowly returned to the lycan. His head ached, it seemed his hands are bound, and while a familiar scent had greeted him, that scent had recently been tainted. “No more.” Pablo said quietly, attempting to pull his arms and legs away from the vampire. “Please.” He begged as his eyes flickered open. A smatter of blonde hair greeted him. The body that his legs were wrapped around felt far too warm to be Catherine. Pablo felt something warm grow in his chest. It was Adele, she’d come for him. “Addy.” His voice was weak as he nuzzled his head against her shoulder. Why did she feel so warm? It was strangely comfortable. “It’s over, isn’t it?” He said, his voice still weak. The prospect of finally going home. Having Adele here that made it real. They were so close to freedom. That though in the warehouse had proven to be a false illusion. How had they ended up here. “Addy, did you hit me over the head?” He said. The last thing he remembered…. “Where is Lucia?”

[Adele Holst]

Sighing with relief when she felt Pablo stir, Adele offered her gratitude toward the gods. Yet as he tried to speak, she shushed him quietly, turning another corner and moving the length of the hallway. If she hadn't gotten her directions messed up, the back door she'd found was near; she could unlock from here and make their escape without running into any more of the blood-suckers. Hopefully.

She felt color rise to her cheeks as her friend nuzzled her shoulder, "Hold on to me." Carefully bringing one of her hands up, she tried loosening her scarf from Pablo's wrists. She got the fabric almost off one wrist before she reached back to grab his leg again; he should be able to remove the rest, she just hadn't wanted him to fall or shift while she was making their way out. When he asked if this was over, the young woman bit her lip. She didn't want to jinx it by saying anything.

Finally she found a door that looked like it could lead outside. Her golden eyes darted across the hall, trying to make sure they hadn't been seen as she hurried toward the door. She wanted to laugh when Pablo asked if she'd hit him over the head; but what she suspected had happened brought the lycaness little humor. "Hold on." Adele reached for the doorknob, her fingers fumbling as she moved to unlock and open the door. Finally opening it, she nudged it the rest of the way with the side of her foot, holding on tight to Pablo as they burst into the night.

The night air sent a shiver down Adele's spine, yet it smelled like freedom. She cast one last glance back at the warehouse, before running carefully up the street and through a couple alleyways to get to one of the getaway cars Reece had arranged. "Das Miststück had you. Catherine took you somewhere. Into a room, and I. I followed her. I think maybe she hit you, but..." Remembering the warning Marcus had given her, she could feel an anger in her chest grow when Pablo asked about Lucia. "I hope Lucia is dead. Catherine ran off when she heard her fucking queen had been shot." Glancing back, over her shoulder, she tried to meet Pablo's eyes before returning her focus ahead of them. "I think that's the only reason we made it out." She could feel the beginning of tears sting her eyes, but she shut them tight, forcing them away, "Are you okay, Pablo?" She spoke softly, "Jemanden um Verzeihung bitten."

Ahead of them, one of the marked cars came into view. They were so close to getting out of here.

[Pablo]

The lycan tried to nod his head, slipping his hands free from the scarf. No more binds, not ever. Pablo thought to himself with a weak smile, wrapping his arms weakly around his friend. It took more effort than he would have liked to stay clinging to Adele, or even holding onto consciousness. He felt so tired, and weak. It would have been so easy to close his eyes resting his head against Adele. His leg staggered as Adele reached for the door. Again, he tried to cling tight to the woman. They were so close.

It was the biggest relief of his life, stepping out into the fresh air with Adele. This was freedom, true freedom. Pablo sighed softly as his friend shivered. “Finally.” He whispered quietly to himself. Pablo nodded as Adele explained what had happened. Now that shouldn’t have been a surprise, it was far from it. It was not was his wisest moment following Lucia, but to leave her then was unthinkable. Stepping into the fray had been a death wish. He supposed he had Catherine to thank for that, she had likely saved him from death, though for her own selfish purposes. If Adele hadn’t been there… did she know what he’d spared him from?

A gasp escaped his lips. Shock first at her wish, second at her revelation. Lucia had been shot. His heart was racing. And Adele wanted her dead. How could she say such about someone she’d never met. “No, what’s wrong with you?!” He said incredulously. As she looked back at him, her gaze was met with pain. Pablo let go of the lycan, falling easily. He hit the ground hard, but it didn’t matter, he had to go back. “I can’t be okay without her.” He said rising to his knees. Adele didn’t know how much Lucia mattered to him, how could she? He had nothing at times save for the hybrid, after all they’d been through. How could Adele hate the one he loved? When he’d wanted them to be friends. “Lucia.” He whispered her name under his breath. If she was dead he would know it, he would feel her missing. He opened his mental link, she was there, as always her mental presence dominating all else. A smile crossed his lips momentarily. “She’s alive.” He said, and it didn’t feel like she was growing weaker, she was stable. “Adele, I’ll forgive you, if you bring me to her.” He said sternly.

[Adele Holst]

Pablo's words stung, and when he let go of her, gravity taking him to the pavement, she flinched as his arms brushed off the wounds by her shoulders. Damn silver blades; it still hurt so much.

Turning quickly, Adele stepped forward, reaching out with both of her arms to help pull her friend to his feet; what was he doing? They needed to go. "Pablo?" Was he listening to himself. The blonde looked away from her packmate momentarily, glancing around them as she ran a hand through her hair. What made this vampire special? Was it only Lucia's bites that did this? Marcus made it sound like that was the case, and while she was loathe to take a vampire's word, there was no other explanation for why Pablo seemed to care so much about one of the vampire's who'd put everyone in this situation.

"She--" Looking back at her friend, she grabbed one of his hands and tried pulling him up. She noticed Pablo's smile when he mentioned Lucia was still alive. He clearly wasn't feeling well; Adele had never seen him like this. "Pablo." Gritting her teeth, the young woman wiped her eyes with the back of a hand. "No. We're not going back in there." She didn't even know where the leech would be, much less what she looked like. There was no way in hell... Even if he hated her, she wasn't going to let him go back in that festering nest of blood-suckers.

"She's the reason all of this," Adele motioned back toward the warehouse, "is fucked. She and Dane..." Pulling weakly at her friend as tears fell, unwelcome, from her eyes, "Hurt our pack. Hurt You. And Szandor...." Biting her lip momentarily, Adele wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her jacket. "They hurt Alena. You said she could barely move...! Pablo." She looked at her friend, pain in her golden eyes, "They hit the den." How many had been lost even with that last attack? "And cause of what she did, Amara and Quinn and everyone... They had to flee, and..." Shaking her head, Adele stopped herself. "Let's just go home, Pablo. Please..."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Whining quietly, Lucia tried curling up. Her chest felt hot, burning; but beneath her, she felt warm fur holding her close. "M-Mum...?" No; even before opening her eyes, she knew that wasn't right. This lycan smelled a little like her mother, enough that Lucia knew he was one of Alena's pups; but the queen of wolves was not the one holding her.

Her eyelids felt heavy; it was far too easy to just let them close and give in to rest. But the fresh wound in her chest refused to let her relax; it throbbed angrily, and the girl groaned in pain. Dane had sounded so cold.

Again, the hybrid tried to curl up. That's why her chest hurt. Her love had shot her, used her; betrayed her.

It wasn't until a cool breeze washed over her that the girl realized they were outside. Frowning, Lucia opened her tear-stained eyes, trying to look around, "Wait..." There were other werewolves nearby, running in the same direction she was being taken, but none of them were Pablo. "No." It felt like her heart caught in her throat. "Wait!" Looking up at the lycan holding her, Lucia had to try twice to speak above a whisper. She'd left Pablo in the warehouse; how far away were they already?

Trying to squirm out of the werewolf's arms, Lucia looked back in the direction they'd come from. "Pablo is still in there!" The panic she felt was audible in her voice. Reaching to tug at a tuft of the lycan's fur, she tried making him look at her. "We have to go back," she pleaded.

[Pablo]

His chest stung when Adele said they wouldn’t go back. Pablo grit his teeth. Lucia would go back for him, and he was even sure if she was still in the building. It was like Adele didn’t even want to try to give her a chance. He could find her, all he had to do was concentrate. But Adele kept tugging on his arm, adamantly speaking against Lucia. He let the woman pull him on his feet, but the things she was saying, what did Adele know. “She would go back for me.”

Pablo’s legs felt weak, and immediately he found himself leaning against his friend for support and holding on to her arm. It was not easy, hearing his best friend speak negatively of Lucia. “Wow, Lucia did all of that? That’s news to me, I –“ He paused, Adele didn’t deserve sarcasm at a time like this. And he did wish to see his friends once more, so desperately. “I’m sorry, Adele. That was Dane, he was the mastermind. Lucia was as much a victim as me. I know what it may have seemed like, but we went through so much together. I, I don’t think I can be happy without her.” He said, glancing away from his friends. “I love her.” He admitted with a blush. “I just want to know she’s okay, before we leave.” He could feel and smell her presence coming from the street. Again, he smiled. “She’s not in the building.” He said pointing towards the street. “Please, I need to see her.” Pablo reached for his friends’ hand. “And maybe now isn’t the best time, but I want you to meet Lucia. We’d talk about her meeting everybody if we ever went back home.”

[Dane]

Dane grit his teeth, glancing between Alena as she was ushered out of the room, and her hybrid son. It ate at his chest, the thought of letting her go now… when they had been so damn close, but this thing would be the death of him. It moved as fast as Dane and was stronger. Fortunately, Lucia had proven to have one final use, a means of evening the battlefield. The lycan retreated with their Queen’s precious daughter. His gaze remained locked on the hybrid as Alena’s voice rang into his mind. She was worth it, quite nearly, but the thought of death and hell was not a pleasant one, Alena’s reminder was unnecessary. Despite that the risk of an eternity of endless torture, he weighed his option. If he succeeded it would mean an eternity of bliss with Alena. Her heat, the taste of her flesh and blood. His mouth felt dry at the thought. What if he rushed the creature, with his den at his side certainly the odds were in his favor? He shook his head. That thing, he was unsure of his capabilities. The fact he was even considering it. That meant perhaps he was unwell. Preservation came before all, Alena she would be there waiting for him. He had his pet to play with until then.

Nero backed away. Dane felt a surprising amount of relief despite his current trepidation. How long until he indulged in Alena again? He would have her again. A gust of wind swept by him as a familiar voice and presence appeared behind Dane. “Where is Lucia?” Catherine said, was she panicked, stressed? This wasn’t like her. “She was caught in the gunfire. Her mother’s brood retreated with her.” He turned to look at Catherine. A flash of anger appeared in her eyes as she stepped forward about to pursue. Dane reached for her arm. “I won’t stop you Catherine but pursuing would mean death. Alena and Raven… their first born made an appearance.” It did seem to stop the vampires in her steps. She turned her gaze between him and where they retreated. She appeared to be seriously considering pursuit, until something changed her mind. Catherine turned to him, standing straight backed. “Dane. Alena’s escape is an immense failure upon our coven. Our most feared enemy is free once more. You failed to secure her, the council will be unpleased.” Dane nodded, silently staring in the direction the lycans had fled. He was well aware of that.

[Reece]

He could feel the girl stir in his arms, but Reece kept his focus on their immediate surroundings as he ran through the streets of Oslo. The night before, he'd called in a favor to have multiple cars parked throughout the city to be used in the event a quick retreat was necessary. He'd requested more vehicles than he hoped they'd need, and given instructions on preferred locations, but left the rest up to his agents; and they had not disappointed him.

The werewolves who'd managed to keep their lives during the rescue inside Oslo's former den had made as swift an escape as possible after Reece relayed Alena's order to fall back. Those that had been running beside him broke off, running down different streets and alleyways, coordinating which cars and routes would be taken.

Reece growled low in his throat as the girl tried to squirm free, grabbing at his fur. "Silence, Young One." He would not go back; Adele and two others had been tasked with securing Pablo. His orders were to retreat with his queen's daughter; and it was well that such a task had been given to him. Despite the atrocities this girl had helped commit against the den, Reece had known, almost since his induction into lycanthropy, of his queen's love for the vampire king. The existence of their children was no secret to him, and while he didn't necessarily harbor any love for them on a personal level, he understood how important they were to Alena. The other werewolves, despite calling Alena their queen, might not be so forgiving of the child upon her return.

Ahead of him, the vehicle he'd been running toward came into view, and in the wind, he could smell Pack nearby. He gave the air a last, quick sniff as he came within a couple yards of the car, shifting down to his human form. Looking down the cross street the car was parked, he could make out two smaller forms in the darkness; one with a mess of blonde hair. "Adele!" He barked into her mind, getting her attention as he opened a door to the backseat, placing Lucia carefully inside the vehicle before slamming the door shut. "Drive. I will stay alert for any pursuing threats."

Opening the passenger door for himself, Reece took a moment as Adele and Pablo made their way over, to glance over the wounds he'd incurred during his fight with Dane. Looking up a last time at Perrin's heir, he barked a final order, "Now!" before getting into the vehicle, closing his door and reaching over to open the driver side door.

[Adele Holst]

She didn't pull away as Pablo fell into her, leaning on her for support, but his sarcastic quip hurt, and Adele stopped talking immediately, looking away from her best friend. How could he talk like that after everything the pack had been through recently?

She was trembling; almost as much out of fear and disbelief as it was out of anger. It was all she could do to bite her tongue when Pablo offered an apology. But as he continued speaking, it became more and more painfully obvious that he wasn't going to listen to a word she said, anyway. That damn vampire Marcus had been right; but Pablo wouldn't believe her if she tried telling him. She had to speak with Alena; the lycan queen could make Pablo understand.

Adele looked over at her friend as he looked away, waiting for the punchline; for him to get to the point of this horrible joke. But it never came. He was in love with Lucia? She couldn't wait to hear what his cousin would say about that; Xhel would probably put Pablo in an institution and give his vampire love a bullet between the eyes. She noticed his cheeks flush, and she noticed, too, fang marks on his throat. Strange looking fang marks, but bite marks nonetheless. "Congratulations." Adele spoke flatly, quietly through clenched teeth.

Part of her wanted to pull away when her friend reached for her hand; she'd been touched and grabbed and pushed enough the last few days that she just wanted to stand under scalding water to cleanse herself of everyone else. But she knew Pablo was in no state to support himself yet; and despite his strange, and frustrating, current state of mind, he was still her best friend. She didn't think she'd be acting normal either if she had gone through what Pablo must have the last couple weeks. Hell, she wasn't even sure she was feeling normal now anyway, after Rome, and trying to deal with Renn.

Luckily for her, Pablo seemed to point toward the direction of their getaway car, so Adele hoisted one of her friend's arms over her shoulders, whimpering quietly as he rested upon healing wounds, and wrapped her other arm around his waist to help him walk toward the vehicle. As they neared, the young woman could smell something strange coming closer. She looked up as Reece spoke into her mind, biting her lip. Who was with him? Attempting to hurry to the car, Adele reached for the door to the back seat, about to help Pablo in when she stopped, getting a clearer smell of the girl with Reece. "What the f-- Who is that?" She looked over to the elder lycan, holding onto her friend tight.

[Pablo]

Adele’s flat tone was not lost upon Pablo. Why his friend’s personal vendetta was so strong against Lucia he couldn’t understand. They’d never met, how could Adele blame Lucia for everything? It was clear she was working on faulty information. Everything Lucia had done for him, if not for her he’d be dead right now. Lucia was there when nobody else had been. He wanted to explain to Adele, then and there, but there were more pressing matters. Lucia had been shot, she was still alive, but he had to know she was okay. There was always a time and place, he would make Adele understand. Besides, at least Adele was here now helping him, without her he could never get to Lucia. He’d still be trapped in that building.

Every step towards the car was met with anticipation. Lucia’s presence was not as strong as it had been, but seemed a farcry from fading into nothingness. She was alive and well enough. The thought brought a sense of comfort to him. He almost found himself begging Adele to shift so they could hurry, but what felt like a eternity was over soon enough. Pablo was almost unaware of Reece’s presence. He glanced at the lycan, but never acknowledged his existence, instead he waited, staring at the car window, she was inside. Pablo fidgeted in Adele’s arm the moment the door opened but leaned against his friend as she held him tight. “Lucia!” He said, as he attempted to wiggle his way free into the car.