The Howl of Vengeance(1/2)

The moon hung low, casting an eerie silver glow over the dense forest surrounding the Thomas estate. James Lee stood at the edge of the treeline, his breath visible in the cold night air. Behind him, the elite wolves of the Lee family shifted restlessly, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. James clenched his fists, the leather of his gloves creaking softly.

"Tonight, we bring Emma home," James said, his voice a low growl that carried the weight of command. "No matter the cost."

The wolves responded with a chorus of low, guttural growls, their forms shifting seamlessly into sleek, black shadows as they began their silent advance toward the estate. The forest floor was a carpet of fallen leaves, muffling their footsteps as they moved with predatory precision.

Inside the Thomas estate, Henry Thomas stood atop the highest tower, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The flickering light of the fireplace danced across his sharp features, casting long shadows on the stone walls. He smirked as he gazed out over the sprawling grounds, his eyes narrowing at the faint movement in the distance.

"They're here," Henry muttered to himself, his voice dripping with amusement. He raised the glass to his lips, the amber liquid catching the firelight. "Let's see if the Lees have the guts to face me."

Down below, James and his wolves reached the edge of the estate's perimeter. The high, wrought-iron gates loomed before them, a formidable barrier. James motioned to one of his lieutenants, a burly wolf named James.

"James, take a team and flank the east side," James ordered. "We'll hit the front gate. Keep it quiet."

James nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "You got it, boss. We'll have your back."

As James and his team disappeared into the shadows, James turned to the remaining wolves. "Stay sharp. We don't know what's waiting for us inside."

The tension was palpable as they approached the gate. James reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, silver key. He inserted it into the lock, the mechanism clicking softly as it turned. The gates creaked open, revealing the dark, foreboding path that led to the mansion.

Inside the mansion, Henry's smirk widened as he watched the gates swing open. He set his glass down on the windowsill, his fingers drumming against the cold stone. "Welcome to the lion's den, James," he whispered, his voice laced with malice.

As James and his wolves stepped onto the estate grounds, a sudden, deafening alarm blared through the night, shattering the silence. James cursed under his breath, his eyes darting around for the source of the noise.

"Damn it!" James growled, his heart racing. "We've been made!"

From the shadows, a group of armed guards emerged, their weapons trained on the intruders. James's mind raced, his instincts kicking into overdrive. He knew they were walking into a trap, but there was no turning back now. Emma's life depended on it.

"Fall back! Regroup at the north entrance!" James barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. The wolves obeyed without hesitation, their movements swift and coordinated.

As they retreated, James caught a glimpse of Henry's silhouette in the tower window, the man's laughter echoing through the night. James's jaw tightened, his resolve hardening. This was far from over.

The battle for Emma had just begun, and James Lee was ready to tear the Thomas estate apart, brick by brick.

The forest outside the manor was a chaotic symphony of snarls and growls, the moonlight slicing through the trees like a silver blade. James, his black fur glistening under the pale glow, led his pack with a predator's precision. His golden eyes burned with determination as they closed in on the manor, only to be met by Henry's white wolf pack emerging from the shadows. The air crackled with tension, the kind that precedes a storm.

"So, the prodigal son returns," Henry's voice, cold and mocking, echoed in James's mind through their telepathic link. His white wolf form stood tall, a stark contrast to the dark forest around them.

"Save the theatrics, Henry," James shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You always did love playing the villain."

Without another word, the two wolves lunged at each other, a blur of black and white. Their claws tore through the air, each struck faster and more brutal than the last. The ground beneath them was a battlefield, littered with fallen leaves and splatters of blood.

"You think you can save her?" Henry sneered, dodging James's swipe. "She's mine now."

"Over my dead body," James growled, his eyes narrowing. He feinted left, then spun around, his claws grazing Henry's flank. The white wolf yelped but retaliated with a vicious bite that James barely dodged.

As the fight raged on, James's mind raced. He needed to break through, to find Emma. His pack was holding their own, but Henry's wolves were relentless. He couldn't afford to lose focus.

Meanwhile, inside the manor, Emma sat in a dimly lit room, the walls closing in on her. The faint sounds of the battle outside reached her ears, a cacophony of growls and howls. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and hope.

"James," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Please, be safe."

The flickering light from the single bulb above her cast long shadows on the walls, making the room feel even more oppressive. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She had to find a way out, but the door was locked, and the windows were barred.

Back in the forest, James managed to land a solid blow on Henry, sending the white wolf crashing into a tree. He took the opportunity to bark an order to his pack. "Cover me! I'm going in!"

"James, wait!" one of his pack members, a gray wolf named James, called out. "It's too dangerous!"

"I don't have a choice," James replied, his voice firm. "Emma's in there."

With that, he darted past the chaos, his black form blending into the shadows as he made his way towards the manor. The fight was far from over, but James had a mission, and he wasn't about to let Henry or anyone else stand in his way.