Free Web NovelChapter 44: Chapter 44 Her Wolf Emerges
Bella’s POV
Air burned my lungs as he dragged me relentlessly from the cave entrance. My mind struggled to process what was happening. I was just human after all.
My wolf had stirred days ago, but the transformation never completed. I remained defenseless against this man who should have been frail and weak.
The raw power in his grip proved that assumption dead wrong.
Violent coughing seized my chest. My fingers clawed desperately at whatever bound my throat, cutting off my oxygen supply.
My legs scraped against jagged rocks and thorny underbrush as he hauled me deeper into the mountain wilderness.
The old man released a harsh grunt before finally loosening his hold. We had traveled far from the safety of the cave, surrounded now by dense forest.
The moment his grip slackened, I collapsed to my knees, gasping hungrily for air. My palms pressed against the cold earth as I fought to push myself upright.
A vicious kick caught me under the jaw before I could stand. The impact launched me backwards, my body slamming into the unforgiving ground. I rolled over, blinking through the pain to focus on my attacker.
The same elderly man stood before me, but his appearance had transformed completely. Gone was the frail, hunched figure. This version radiated strength and menace. The makeshift rope around my neck was his discarded shirt from earlier.
"What the hell is wrong with you? We came here to save your pathetic life!" I screamed as he stalked closer.
I scrambled backwards on my hands and knees, but his iron grip seized my ankle and yanked me forward. That was when I noticed his destination.
A perfect circle of bare earth stretched before us, deliberately cleared of vegetation. No trees. No cover. Just open space where he intended to trap me.
"Stop fighting me, girl!" the old man snarled.
His voice remained aged and raspy despite his physical transformation. The realization struck me like lightning.
His wolf was very much alive.
That explained his supernatural strength and endurance.
I twisted violently, trying to wrench my leg free while kicking at him with my other foot. He might as well have been carved from stone.
When he dragged me back into the center of the circle, he momentarily released my ankle to secure his bindings.
I seized the opportunity, spinning around and crawling frantically toward the tree line.
His fist tangled in my hair, jerking my head back before slamming me face-first into the dirt.
This time I fought back with everything I had, raking my nails across his weathered face and driving my thumb toward his eye socket. He caught my wrist effortlessly and pinned me beneath his weight.
His full body pressed down on me as fury twisted his features.
"For someone without a wolf, you sure know how to make things difficult. Just give up!" he roared inches from my face.
I froze momentarily, processing his words.
"Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to hurt you? Why bring the children into this?" My voice cracked with desperation and confusion.
"Ah, so you must be that human researcher they mentioned," he sneered with recognition. "I was warned you might show up."
As he spoke in those gravelly tones about someone expecting me, ice-cold dread crawled up my spine. freeweɓnovel.cøm
He noticed my reaction and began laughing darkly.
"You humans never change. Weak and predictable as always." His breathing grew labored with excitement. "As for your questions, those answers die with you. I was promised my freedom in exchange for sacrificing at least fifty of those brats."
The mention of children and sacrifice made my stomach lurch with horror.
"But you complicated everything," he continued with growing rage. "Lucky for me, I earned my freedom anyway. I keep my word. Once I dispose of you, I’ll collect those kids and finish the job."
His casual cruelty and the revelation of a larger conspiracy sent terror coursing through my veins.
"You don’t need to hurt anyone else. You’re free now. Just disappear!" I begged as he grabbed both wrists and stretched my arms above my head, preparing to bind them with his torn shirt.
"Derek!" I screamed with every ounce of strength in my body.
The man chuckled while continuing his work with the makeshift rope.
Once my hands were secure, he reached for a large iron nail and heavy hammer instead of moving away. My blood turned to ice as I understood his intentions.
He positioned the nail directly over the knotted fabric between my hands and raised the hammer.
"Calling for your beast friend?" he taunted. "He misunderstood the situation completely. The moment he entered that cave, I had a syringe full of wolfsbane waiting. He’ll be unconscious for hours."
His laughter sent waves of pure terror through my entire body.
"You can’t complete your sick promise anyway. The children aren’t coming here. Warriors are positioned everywhere, blocking their path," I gasped between panicked breaths, fighting back tears.
He appeared completely unconcerned. After driving the nail deep into the ground, he stepped back and inhaled deeply.
"Do you honestly believe I would use the same route twice?" he scoffed dismissively. "I changed the entire plan. Some will slip past your warriors using a completely different path. Others were already hidden in the basement with me from the beginning. All I had to do was wait."
He paused, flashing me a grotesque smile.
"While we wait for them to arrive, I’ll demonstrate my specialty." He stepped back further and raised both hands.
I remembered my child’s warning as I watched him move his fingers in circular patterns.
Fire erupted from his fingertips just as Leah had said. He threw back his head and released maniacal laughter.
"Allow me to fetch the alcohol. Where are my manners?" he cackled while walking back toward the cave to retrieve the fuel he planned to douse me with.
The moment he disappeared from sight, absolute panic consumed me. I screamed until my throat was raw, but no help came.
"When he returns, I’m dead," I whispered, kicking frantically at the ground. My legs remained the only part of me still mobile.
Then I felt movement in my finger. I turned my head sharply, watching as my fingers began twitching and my bones started cracking audibly.
"If you’re finally ready to emerge, don’t you dare stop now," I muttered to my wolf.
But as the words left my mouth, I noticed how deep and rough my voice had become.
Then I heard her clearly for the first time.
"How could I possibly let you die at the hands of such filth?" she growled with fierce determination.
