Finally, Freedom!
1122 Words
"What the hell is this?!"
Mrs. Evelyn screamed, her voice piercing the hall, which had been reduced to rubble. Tables were overturned, crystal chandeliers lay shattered on the ground, and the guests had disappeared. The air was thick with the smells of iron, dust, and fear.
Fiona let out a stifled scream. "Mom... Mom..." Her body shook violently and her face was as pale as paper. She had her eyes tightly shut and her fingers clutched Evelyn's dress as if her life depended on it. Warm liquid seeped between her legs. Fiona had wet herself. The sharp-tongued girl could no longer stand proudly.
Trystin staggered backward. "No! This can't be. Where did that creature come from?"
He gasped for breath, pressing his hand against his chest as if his heart were about to jump out. His face was pale and his lips trembled silently.
Olivian swallowed hard. Her legs weakened. All her courage melted away in an instant.
In the middle of the hall stood a figure that defied reason:
A giant wolf.
Its body was three—no, five—times the size of a normal wolf's. Its fur was white and shiny, like silver bathed in moonlight. Golden lines stretched across its body, forming ancient symbols that resembled living tattoos and pulsed slowly. An aura of coldness and wrath emanated from it with every breath.
Moira arrived last. Her steps faltered. But strangely, she was not afraid.
Her eyes were fixed on the wolf. Her heart was pounding, but not from fear. There was something familiar about it. It was like seeing someone she had long forgotten.
Olivian saw that. A cunning idea struck her.
"Moira!" she suddenly shouted.
Before Moira could react, Olivian grabbed her arm and pushed her forward forcefully.
"Go away!"
Moira stumbled and lost her balance. She slid and fell face down right in front of the giant wolf.
"Olivian—" Evelyn screamed, then froze.
Moira slowly raised her head. The wolf’s blue pupils stared at her.
Cold. Sharp. Full of rage.
But behind them, there was something else. It was as if that gaze spoke directly to her soul.
"Don't be afraid. I’m here because of you.”
Moira’s breath caught in her throat.
Behind her, Olivian laughed. It was a crazy, desperate, hate-filled laugh.
“Damn creature!” she screamed. "I already gave you a sacrifice! Eat her! Get out of my mansion! Damn wolf!"
Mrs. Evelyn smiled tremulously. Trystin covered her mouth. Fiona sobbed silently.
The wolf lowered its head. Its snout approached the tip of Moira's hair. Its hot breath swept across the woman's neck.
Moira closed her eyes. There was a hint of fear. But more resignation.
In an instant, however, the giant body leaped.
Not toward Moira.
"W-what?!" Evelyn screamed.
The white wolf lunged at Olivian.
"Aaargghh!"
Olivian's body was thrown to the floor. In an instant, the giant creature pinned her down. Its large claws dug into the marble floor and its snout was right above her pale face.
"Go away! Go away!" Olivian closed her eyes, her body shaking violently. "I already fed you! Don't bother me!"
The wolf snorted. Then it laughed. It was a low, heavy laugh that echoed throughout the hall.
"You're wrong," said a clear, deep, bone-chilling voice. "I choose my prey."
Trystin followed, his body falling ungracefully to the ground.
Lastly, Mrs. Evelyn followed, falling dramatically.
The hall fell silent again.
Moira stood up.
Her legs were still trembling slightly, but she didn't run. Her eyes followed the wolf step by step.
The creature approached her. It stopped right in front of her.
Moira swallowed. Its blue eyes were no longer filled with anger. They were filled with determination. protection. And something that made her chest feel warm.
"Who are you?" Moira asked softly without realizing it. "Have you come to defend me?"
She lifted her chin slightly. "Why am I not afraid of you?"
The wolf stared at her for a long time. Then, its voice sounded again, lower and closer.
"Leave here."
It turned its body and walked toward the shattered hall door.
"Follow me."
Moira bit her lip. Doubt crept in, but that same magnetic gaze held her in place.
"Where is that strange giant wolf...?"
Moira stood on the front terrace between the two massive pillars of the Dunne mansion.
Her eyes scanned left and right; her breathing was still uneven. There was no one there.
No shimmering white fur. All that remained was the devastated front garden with broken garden lights, overturned flower pots, and random tire tracks in the gravel.
"All the cars are gone," she murmured softly.
She exhaled roughly. Her fingers felt cold. Then she realized her hand was still clutching something.
Moira looked down. The letter. The piece of paper that had felt like a death sentence just minutes ago now felt light.
She smiled slightly. A flutter of happiness crept into her chest.
"Finally," she whispered. "I can be free from that bastard!"
"Moira!"
The voice broke her reverie. Moira turned quickly.
The black luxury car was still parked on the side of the driveway. The door opened. Adrian got out hurriedly and jogged over to her. His face was tense with concern, not panic.
"What happened?" he asked quickly.
Moira blinked twice. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Didn't you see it?"
"What?"
"A giant wolf," Moira said firmly. "White. Very big. It ransacked the hall."
Aidrian stopped right in front of her. He chuckled softly, as if trying to calm her down. "A giant wolf?" He shook his head slowly. "No, I've been waiting in the car."
Moira stared at him intently. "Are you serious?"
"I saw guests running out," Adrian replied flatly. "They were driving their cars like they were possessed. But a giant wolf?" He shrugged. "No."
Moira swallowed. Her chest felt strange. "He was there," she said softly. "He saved me."
Adrian looked at her more intently. "The important thing is that you're not hurt." Then, deliberately changing his tone, he asked, "Did you get what you wanted?"
Moira was silent for a moment. Then she raised her hand and showed him the divorce papers.
"This."
Adrian narrowed his eyes and read them briefly. A crooked smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "You want a lawyer."
"Yes," Moira replied quickly. "I want this to be over. As soon as possible. I want to be free from the Dunne family."
Adrian nodded slowly. "That can be arranged."
Moira exhaled in relief, but stopped when Adrian continued.
"I'll do anything for you."
He looked at her, his blue eyes sharp yet warm. "But there's a condition."
Moira froze. She found Aidrian's calm expression very familiar, though she couldn't explain why.
- Writer
