Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 198

**Briony's POV**

We had to get to Noah first, no matter what. The best shot would be during patrol - away from prying eyes. Cyrus would handle surveillance, Freya and the others would back me up. I just hoped Victoria wouldn't try to ship Freya off somewhere. That woman was doing everything possible to keep Noah away from her, pushing him toward her little gang instead.

I couldn't wrap my head around someone willing to destroy everything just for some stupid title.

Ethan said his dad could adjust the patrol schedule, but we'd have to wait for the weekend rotation to make it look normal. Four days. Four whole days before I could save my brother. 

It felt like the longest wait of my life. While we planned the boys' birthday party as cover, Freya and I used the time to think through every detail. Even if the party never happened, at least having something to focus on kept us from going crazy. There was no backup plan this time - this method had to work.

Sunday finally rolled around. The new patrol schedule had gone out last night and started immediately. Noah and Benjamin were grouped together, just like we'd hoped.

Freya and I double-checked our gear. Something told me Noah wouldn't be as easy as Ethan and Benjamin had been. He'd always put the pack first, everything else second. Since we were kids, he'd been taught that the Alpha was always right, never to be questioned. That loyalty was great until it became blind faith.

We reached the ambush point early, masking our scents carefully. In the darkness, distant footsteps approached - Benjamin and Noah on patrol. My heart hammered against my ribs, palms slick with sweat.

When they got closer, Noah suddenly stopped. His head snapped toward our hiding spot in the bushes. Shit! I'd forgotten about that weird connection between him and Freya. Even without a Sentinel mark, they seemed to sense each other somehow. 

I shot Benjamin orders through the mind link.

Next second, Freya and I burst from the bushes. Benjamin immediately moved behind Noah, trying to pin his arms. But Noah's reaction was lightning-fast, his strength shocking - he broke free and lunged straight at Freya.

They hit the ground rolling, Noah pinning her down. From where I stood, their struggle looked more like some twisted foreplay than actual fighting. Finally Noah had her pinned, hands around her throat, but I could see he wasn't really applying pressure.

Freya looked up at him, eyes calm and almost teasing, like she was saying: *That's all you got?*

"Let us help you," she said softly, gently gripping his hands.

Those words seemed to flip a switch. Confusion flashed across Noah's eyes and he froze completely. Freya rolled away fast. Benjamin came forward again, this time successfully restraining him. Noah still fought, but that explosive strength was gone.

I took a deep breath and started chanting. The ancient words flowed out, and magic immediately thickened the air.

Noah started writhing in pain, his body twisting in Benjamin's grip. His face contorted, cold sweat breaking out everywhere. I could feel his agony - that soul-deep tearing sensation - but I couldn't stop. This was to save him.

When I spoke the final word, Noah let out a bone-deep roar. Then his body went limp, collapsing in Benjamin's arms.

Benjamin carefully lowered him to the ground. I rushed forward, pressing the burning-hot protective charm into Noah's palm. The moment it touched his skin, gentle light wrapped around his entire body.

Noah's eyes snapped open. He shot upright, gasping like he'd just been pulled from drowning.

Freya immediately moved forward, pulling him into her arms. Noah buried his face in her neck, his body still trembling. We all waited quietly, giving him time to come back to himself.

"Finally decided to rejoin us, Beta," Freya whispered in his ear, teasing but worried.

Noah slowly lifted his head, looking at the charm in his hand, then at us. His eyes gradually cleared.

"Fuck, I can actually talk again." His voice was raw. "But now I'm wondering - how the hell are we gonna save Maxwell and Christopher? It took all three of you just to handle me."

"We'll have to work together," I said. "And I think we need to keep them together - can't separate them. They can feel each other's pain, so if we don't do it at the same time, it might not work. If their reactions are like yours or worse, we absolutely cannot let Victoria notice. But how do we pull that off? You nearly tore us apart just now."

"Because those were fresh orders," Noah explained, anger edging his voice. "We were supposed to keep away from you. You guys were marked for arrest and containment."

"New orders after I broke free? Why didn't I know about this?" Benjamin looked shocked.

"Because you're not under their control - they don't give a shit about you." Noah rolled his eyes. "Honestly, if whoever's behind this had half a brain, after what you pulled, they might start paying attention."

We kept discussing rescue plans, but time was running short. Only two weeks until their party. Noah walked over and gave me a bear hug that nearly cracked my ribs, but I didn't care. It felt incredible.

"We'll figure it out, Bri," he said in my ear. "As long as you keep fighting and never give up. That's the only way we survive this."

After saying goodbye, we finished the patrol.

I tried reaching Taric and Conrad but got radio silence, though I could sense they'd received my messages - they just couldn't respond. I didn't think they were deliberately ignoring me, but who knew? I hated this helpless feeling of being cut off from everything. It was like being trapped on an island. Our Sentinel mind links should work across any distance - this was all wrong.

When we got back to the training ground, several warriors were already waiting. I could feel tension in the air - not fear exactly, but this mix of anticipation and unease.

Sophia slowly walked over, studying mine and Freya's faces.

"So it worked, right?" She grinned. "You two look like you went ten rounds."

"You're ridiculous," Freya laughed back. "But yeah, you're not wrong. I just want to crash now. Let me know if you think of anything."

We all nodded, watching her leave. I noticed Freya's steps were much lighter. Maybe with Noah finally free, some weight had lifted from her heart.

Just then, Delta Griffin appeared at the training ground entrance. He walked forward slowly, raising both hands to signal for quiet.