B1)A Wanted Love

21) It's Over!

Tiara-

Tiara did everything to avoid Russell taking her. He woke up in the middle of the night and dragged her out of bed. She knew it was serious when he didn't let her put on her shoes.

They were going through the woods, accompanied by hunters. There were wolves with them at some point, but this strange tattoo collar appeared around their necks, and they had to escape.

A crazy half-brother and four hunters now surrounded her. Heck, Russell isn't even her brother but her cousin. Either way, his obsession with her is still gross.

She winced as sticks and thorns prick the bottom of her feet. She places a hand on her belly. She must find a way to escape for the sake of her baby.

Tiara looks at the four hunters. They'll shoot her if she tries to run. Or Russell could chase after her and hurt her. She can't risk getting hurt.

There isn't much she can do. All she can do is wait for Drake to get her.

"Where is Bart?"

"Gone like his mother," Russell smiled. "They were nothing but a nuisance."

Tiara doesn't want to believe. Russell killed his son, his mother, and his mother. She doesn't want to believe it.

"You killed them?" She had to ask, or it'll forever haunt her.

A sinister smile spread across his face. Tiara felt sick.

"Aren't wolves supposed to be caring for their children?" The blad hunter asked. "Did you kill your son?"

Russell glared. "He and his mother were creating problems for me and could not understand that Tiara is supposed to be my partner."

The bald hunter cringe. Even he found this situation sickening. He gave her a look of pity.

She looks away. It's the same look everyone in her clan gave her—pity.

She wants to go back home with Drake. She misses Salome; she knows Sebastian must've rescued Salome, and she could be safe. Tiara needs to think positively and not let her fears consume her. This curse won't take away her peace of mind.

She almost tripped, and Russell gripped her chin. "That child is making you slower. Maybe we should get rid of it."

Tiara's heart raced as panic set in, and she instinctively shoved him away. Russell staggered backward, his feet tripping over a fallen tree as he tumbled. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Tiara fled into the dense woods, weaving between trees and leaping over bushes, desperately trying to escape. She made erratic movements, constantly changing direction to avoid potential gunfire. Uncertain of her destination, she refused to pause or glance backward, the echo of hunters' shouts reverberating through the forest, leaving her unsure about their intentions. Regardless, Tiara had no intention of waiting to find out.

The night air gets pierced by the haunting howl of a wolf, a sound that Tiara does not recognize. In a moment of urgency, Tiara made a decisive shift to put some distance between herself, Russell, and the hunting party. Allowing her inner wolf, Tia, to emerge, Tiara surrendered control and let Tia's instincts lead them through the shadowy depths of the forest.

"The forest is on fire again," Tia growled. "I must change directions."

"I trust you."

Tia's turn directions headed to the left. Left wasn't the right choice, but it wasn't wrong either. They stumble upon the river. Tiara recognizes it. It's where she and Drake met for the first time. This spot is where they made a beautiful daughter.

The simple memory washed away her fears for the moment. Russell shattered that moment. He had caught up, and not long after, the hunters arrived.

Tia snarled and backed away. There was nowhere to run except going into the river. But the currents looked strong this night and could get dragged for miles.