SWNOVELS Chapter 48 - Murder
Tanya's POV.
I can't help the scream that escapes me, immediately I veer away from the outstretched claw. My hands fumble and slam against the car door, before finally slipping hold of the handle. I roughly tumble out of the car, pushing myself desperately to my feet and breaking into a sprint for my life.
The rain rushes down in thunderous rage as I run blindly, screaming out for help. But no one hears me, not with the wind's terrible screams, and not when the earth ruptures with ground shaking thunder.
With no wolf form, with no wolf speed, and with the fetus barely protected by my weak body, I fail to maintain much distance. I look back to see white glowing eyes in the dark, and a large menacing shadow resembling the form of a massive wolf can be seen through the slits of downpour.
No....
I look ahead pushing to run faster, but I can hear his ominous paws galloping after me, each contact they make with the ground sounding loudly in my head, counting down to my demise. With my mind in disarray, I don't see a branch blow by the wind in my path. I trip over it, flattering my steps and causing me to slide straight into the rumble. Scathing my palms and knees.
My breathing escalates as I roll onto my back, trying to back away whilst I watch the ungodly wolf seep into view. His pelt is as white as snow, eerily pale with the ends tinged in a silvery shade like the blade of a sword. I'm frozen in fear as the wolf releases a daunting snarl, before shifting back into the human form of the driver.
On his lips is a devilish grin, the only resemblance to his wolf form being the grey hair that looks dulled by the pouring rain. He hauntingly embodies the essence of the grim reaper, coming to snatch my soul away to the afterlife. He cockily struts towards me, knowing I can barely get away.
"Why?" That is the only word I'm able scream.
He shrugs, unbothered by my panicked disposition. "Aren't you a pretty thing?" His playful tone sickens me. "If only you weren't pregnant with Marco's child, and then maybe Lily wouldn't have wanted you dead."
"But-how?" how did Lily know? I'm panic stricken, unable to crawl away as he steps closer.
He chuckles, suddenly crouching down so close to me, I can feel his breath on my face as he quirks a brow. "I owe her a favor you see? And even if you're prettier than her. I never... break my promises..."
Just before he can make another move to kill me, with measured timing, I move quickly, spraying a bottle of perfume I have been silently getting from my pocket. As best I could, I tried to slow his pace towards me, let him talk for as long as he wanted so I would have enough to be ready with the perfume.
It's one of my creations also with a special function. It's laced with hallucinogenic ingredients, inducing those who inhale it into a psychedelic state that makes them hallucinate for thirty minutes.
I zap him with a decent amount of the mist, forcing him to shut his eyes from the burning sensation. I notice his surprise, not expecting me to fight back in the way I have.
But I don't have time to dwell on my small victory. I take it as my chance. I push myself to my feet, and once again take off. I know I have no chance out on the open road like this. Even if I have no wolf senses, My scattered brain concludes that I had better try to lose him in the woods.
I run across the road and past the tree line. My hair flails around me frantically at the mercy of the wind, and the soles of my feet throb in agony, but I push on, moving aimlessly through the wooded landscape.
I repeatedly have to pick up the hem of my floral dress to stop it from dragging, it's drenched in rainwater now, the floral design stained and destroyed by mud and dirt. My arms lay covered in wet leaves and moss, and I consistently scratch myself on bark and branches trying to pull me down.
I catch myself from nearly stumbling multiple times. And while the driver's lack of presence makes me believe I've evaded him, I realize the false sense of hope I've given myself when I'm forced to stop dead in my tracks. No...
My horrified eyes settle on what looks like the edge of the world. I stand at the forest's edge, and before me, it drops into what seems like a bottomless cliff. The wind howls in a cry as I back away from the edge. I turn around ready to look for another escape route, only to see the driver slinking out from the forestry, a crazed smile playing on his lips. "This can't be possible," I whisper.
He shrugs. "You're a smart cookie aren't you with that little trick of yours? But unfortunately," he snaps his fingers, and this ignites a flame into the palm of his hand. The combustion dances to the rapid beat of my heart, while the smoke that leaves it is dark and misty, almost sickly as it soars into the sky.
"I should probably introduce myself don't you think? I'm Dorian, and I'm no ordinary werewolf," his head tilts maliciously, watching me with trained eyes. "I really don't want to do this Tanya... I hate that our time together was so short..." In an instant, his hands shift into dangerous claws as he threateningly stalks towards me. I have no choice but to back away, edging closer and closer to the cliff behind me. At this very moment, I have two options. I could either allow my life to be ended by some malicious killer, or I could take a risk. If I die, at least it would be quick.
With a hand resting on my tummy where my unborn child resides. My eyes narrow in motherly protectiveness before I turn round and bolt to the cliff. I jump with all the courage I can muster, plummeting with forcible speed, before I'm submerged into rough waves of water. Soon I lose all consciousness as the world around me fades into darkness.
***
Joseph's POV.
Papers and files surround me as I work vigorously through the night. My hand moves back and forth with necessary speed as I articulate my thoughts into words that coincide with my noble authority. I'm drafting a decree to make Marco the heir to my Kingdom. Soon enough Lily would provide Marco with the potion needed, and soon my son would be cured, and ready to take the throne he is destined for.
Power and strength are what are needed to rule the Kingdom of Mador, and Marco has all of those qualities. Even if Eric's mother is an Alpha like myself, Eric still doesn't have the strength Marco possesses. It is strength that is needed to run this kingdom, there is no space for weakness within the werewolf and Lycan civilization. Power is what decrees our future and prosperity.
I'm so engrossed in my letter writing, I barely look up to see Eric quietly enter my office with a cup in his hands. "Father, you must be exhausted from worrying over Marco's affliction. I thought it'd be wise to have the doctor prescribe a tonic to nourish your system."
Eric is always a gentleman, always courteous in his behavior towards me, even if I'm not the perfect father. "Thank you, Eric," I say, before taking a long sip from the cup, the warm liquid slipping down my throat in a manner that soothes me. I go to continue drafting the decree, only to notice that I could no longer read my writing. My brows crinkle in confusion, as the paper begins to blur out of focus. I suddenly feel very hot, heat rushing to my head as the world sways. I hold the edge of the table to steady myself, but lose all control over my limbs, my head smacking down hard on the table as darkness splits into the edges of my vision.
Still barely awake, I watch as Eric comes up beside me, pulling out the letter from beneath me, and folding it into his pocket. "After such a long time being King, you've earned some well-deserved rest now," Eric portrays his usual smile towards me, as if completely unaware, or more likely, choosing to ignore my predicament. "Don't worry father, from now on, I will govern the Kingdom of Mador."
And then, I lose all forms of awareness, as my eyes finally slip shut.