Chapter 7: Fear and Fury Unleashed

•Inside the Forest of Silverhowl Kingdom•

Ovelia's POV

I stood frozen, paralyzed by fear as the massive werewolf loomed closer, its eyes glinting with a predatory hunger.

A gust of wind swept through the trees, carrying a whisper, "Ovelia, run!" The voice lingered in my mind like a haunting echo.

Suddenly, a surge of adrenaline coursed through me. I bolted toward the garden, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. With every desperate step, I felt the distance between me and the beast diminish. I glanced back, and horror gripped me as I saw the drooling werewolf, its fangs bared, relentless in its pursuit.

Tears streamed down my face, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I stumbled, tripping over the hem of my long gown, and fell hard to the ground. Pain shot through my body as I fought to rise, the bruises from my body throbbing.

"Get up, Ovelia, you have to keep moving!" I whispered to myself, determination battling against despair. With shaky hands, I pushed myself off the forest floor, adrenaline blinding the pain. Each heartbeat sounded like a drum, echoing the urgency of my escape.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I summoned every ounce of strength as I began to run again, the garden now seeming impossibly far away. I could hear the growl of the werewolf, closer than ever. "Please, not now!" I cried out, my voice trembling with fear and desperation.

"Ovelia, don't stop! You're almost there!" the wind urged, blending with my racing thoughts and pushing me onward. All I could do was focus on reaching the garden, where hope flickered in the fading twilight.

It's not the female voice who's talking in my mind; what I hear now is the wind's voice. Do I have some kind of power? But that can't be; I'm just human.

My heart raced uncontrollably as I realized the massive werewolf stood behind me, a dark shadow against the night. Before I could react, he lifted me effortlessly and threw me against a nearby tree. The force of the impact knocked the breath from my lungs and sent sharp pain coursing through my entire body. A violent cough escaped my lips, and I felt hot blood spill from my mouth. As I wiped it away with trembling hands, I could hardly comprehend the dread that enveloped me.

The world around me seemed to shrink, darkness creeping into the edges of my vision like a suffocating fog. My breath came in shallow gasps, each one burning my lungs as I fought to stay conscious. I forced myself to look ahead, my heart pounding so loudly it felt like it might burst from my chest. And there he was—the black werewolf. His massive, hulking frame loomed in the shadows, his golden eyes glowing like embers in the night. His lips curled into an ominous grin, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth that glistened under the pale moonlight. He took a slow, deliberate step toward me, his claws scraping against the ground with a sound that sent shivers down my spine.

"I can give you strength," a soft, urgent female voice whispered in my mind, cutting through the chaos of my thoughts. "But I can only do this once a day. You need to escape within 15 seconds."

Before I could even process her words, a surge of energy coursed through my veins, electrifying every fiber of my being. The pain that had been crippling me moments ago vanished, replaced by a strange, almost unnatural vitality. My legs, which had felt like lead, now sprang to life. I pushed myself up, my movements swift and decisive. The werewolf's grin faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing in confusion. 

He lunged at me, his massive hand reaching out to grab me, but I was faster. Summoning every ounce of the borrowed strength, I swung my fist with all my might, striking him square in the stomach. The impact was like hitting solid rock, but the force of it sent him staggering backward.

"Arghhh!" The werewolf roared, a guttural, animalistic sound that echoed through the night. He dropped to one knee, clutching his abdomen, his breath coming in ragged growls. His glowing eyes flicked up to mine, filled with a mix of pain and fury. "Where did you get that kind of strength?" he snarled, his voice deep and gravelly, each word dripping with menace.

I didn't have time to answer. The voice in my head had said 15 seconds, and every moment was slipping away. I turned and bolted toward the garden, my feet pounding against the uneven ground. The cool night air whipped past my face, but I didn't dare slow down. I glanced over my shoulder, my heart sinking as I saw the werewolf rise to his feet, his muscles rippling with renewed rage. He let out a bone-chilling howl and charged after me, his movements terrifyingly fast.

I pushed myself harder, my lungs burning, but it was no use. He was gaining on me, his heavy footsteps thundering closer with every second. 

"Time's up," the voice in my head announced, her tone calm but final.

The strength drained from my body in an instant, leaving me weak and trembling. The pain returned tenfold, a searing agony that radiated through every limb. I wanted to scream, to cry out, but my voice caught in my throat. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground, my body refusing to obey me. I was paralyzed, helpless, as the werewolf closed the distance between us.

The werewolf's claws tightened around my neck, his grip like iron as he lifted me off the ground. My feet dangled helplessly, kicking at the air as panic surged through me. My lungs burned, desperate for air, but his hold was unyielding. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision, and my hands clawed uselessly at his massive, fur-covered arm. His golden eyes bore into mine, glowing with a cruel, predatory satisfaction.

"You bitch!" he snarled, his voice a low, guttural growl that reverberated through my chest. His breath was hot and rancid, carrying the stench of blood and decay. "Before I kill you," he continued, his lips curling back to reveal those dagger-like fangs, "I'll make sure to draw out your suffering."

Terror clawed at my insides, sharper than his talons. My mind raced, searching for a way out, but my body was too weak, too broken. He slammed me again against the rough bark of a tree, the impact knocking the wind out of me. Pain exploded across my back, and I gasped, my voice strangled and hoarse. His other hand shot forward, claws sinking into the flesh of my arm with a sickening crunch. 

"ARRGHHHHH!" I screamed, a raw, primal sound that echoed with the wild wind swirling around us. The howl of the night air mingled with my cries, amplifying the terror I felt. Those claws remained embedded in my arm, a constant reminder of my impending doom. I didn't want to die. Not like this… not yet.

Ace's POV

I didn't quite understand it, but my wolf was restless, sensing something was off. Then I spotted Ann approaching, her expression heavy with anxiety.

"Sir Ace, have you seen Lady Ovelia? I've been searching for her," Ann said, her voice trembling. "I went to the garden earlier and heard a loud scream, followed by a fierce wind in the woods."

Worry etched on her face, I felt her fear seep into my own.

I scanned the bustling hall but couldn't find Ovelia amidst the guests chatting and dining. A sense of urgency coursed through me, urging me to move. Just as I was about to leave, Eliana suddenly stopped me.

"Where do you think you're going, Ace? Don't leave me here alone," she implored, her voice tremulous with worry.

I looked at Ann and noticed her serious expression; it deepened my concern. I took Eliana's hands in mine, trying to reassure her. "I'm just stepping out for a moment. I'll be back quickly," I said softly, though uncertainty gnawed at me. I could see the sadness shimmering in her eyes, but I had to find Ovelia.

"I'll be right back, I promise," I added, forcing a confident smile. Her grip tightened on my hands, fear etched on her face, but I had to push forward.

I rushed towards the garden with urgency coursing through me, Ann by my side. Each step felt heavy in my chest; I needed to find Ovelia.

•Palace's Outer Garden•

We arrived at the garden, but Ovelia was nowhere to be found. I felt the tension in my wolf intensifying; it was as if a storm was brewing within me.

"Ann, have you seen Ovelia in her room?" I asked, my voice tinged with anxiety as my wolf stirred restlessly inside me.

"I went there earlier, sir Ace. Before I came to the garden, I spoke with Sir Ray," Ann replied, her tone steady but concern brightening her eyes. "He mentioned he saw Ovelia with the old man who came into this garden."

Panic tightened my chest as thoughts raced through my mind. Should I call the guards to search for her? No, I couldn't do that—fear would scatter the guests like leaves in a storm. I glanced toward the forest, remembering a narrow path that led out of the kingdom. A chilling thought struck me: What if Ovelia had run away?

"Arggghh, please, stop!" The wind carried the anguished scream of a woman from the depths of the forest, piercing through the stillness like a knife.

Ann and I exchanged worried glances before we descended deeper into the woods. My heart raced as I caught sight of a black werewolf, unmistakably a member of the Shadow Pack. At that moment, everything narrowed into a singular focus as I saw it gripping Ovelia by the throat, her left arm bleeding profusely. Her dress was torn, and the black werewolf was poised to leave its mark on her neck.

Rage bubbled within me, igniting an untamed fury as my wolf howled in response to the injustice happening before us. I could feel its power coursing through my veins, urging me to transform. I focused, harnessing every ounce of that primal energy, my body shifting in a rush of fur and strength, ready to confront the beast that threatened my wife.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" I roared, my voice echoing through the trees, a mix of fury and protectiveness. With each step I took, I could feel the earthquake beneath me as I closed the distance between us, the air charged with the brutality of the moment. My wolf was ready to fight, and I was prepared to unleash its fury on anyone who dared to harm Ovelia.