Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 32

Alastor zigzagged through the trees, hoping to confuse them. With every leap and bound, he could see the wolves gaining ground, their powerful muscles propelling them forward.

Alastor's heart raced as he sprinted through the dense underbrush, the sound of the wolves' growls echoing behind him. He was fast—faster than most—but the pack was relentless, their instincts honed for the hunt. He began to feel fatigued and achy, struggling to catch his breath, just as anyone does after running for an extended period. His mind urged his body to push through the pain and exhaustion, fighting against the overwhelming desire to stop.

But just as he navigated a particularly twisted root, his foot caught, and he stumbled. Time seemed to slow as he fell forward, sprawling onto the forest floor. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs, and before he could scramble to his feet, he felt the weight of the wolves crashing down around him.

The first wolf landed heavily on his back, teeth snapping dangerously close to his neck. Alastor struggled beneath the beast, panic flooding his veins. "Vagatha!" he shouted, his voice strained as he fought against the powerful creature that pinned him down.

Just then, a flash of movement caught his eye. Vagatha, clutching a sturdy tree branch, rushed into the fray. With fierce determination, she swung the branch with all her might, connecting with the side of the wolf that had him pinned. The creature yelped in surprise and rolled off him, momentarily stunned.

"Get off him!" Vagatha shouted, her voice echoing through the trees. She swung again, this time hitting another wolf that lunged toward them. The pack hesitated, momentarily thrown off by the sudden counterattack.

But in that instant, the alpha wolf, larger and more imposing than the others, lunged toward Vagatha. His powerful jaws opened wide, ready to clamp down on her. She stood her ground, heart pounding as she raised the branch defensively. Just before the alpha could bite her, he paused, nostrils flaring as he took in her scent.

His fierce demeanor softened as he recognized her. The alpha sniffed the air, taking in the essence of Vagatha. Memories flashed in his mind—of Mother Carmilla, and her sweet sprite who had always treated creatures like him with kindness and protection. He had felt her calming presence among the woods, a warmth that transcended fear and aggression.

The alpha wolf hesitated, his instincts warring with the recognition of a friend. He stepped back, his growling subsiding as he studied Vagatha with a mixture of confusion and caution.

Just as the tension in the clearing began to ease, a chilling presence swept through the forest. Madame Katia emerged from the shadows, her silhouette framed by the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. Her eyes glinted with malice, and the air around her crackled with dark energy.

"What are you doing just standing there, you useless mutts!" she hissed, her voice dripping with contempt. "Destroy them! Rip them apart! Show no mercy! Kill them, you worthless mongrels!"

But the alpha lunged at Madame Katia. The pack, sensing the shift in allegiance, followed suit, their instincts overriding the evil woman's commands.

Madame Katia's eyes widened in shock as the wolves turned on her, teeth bared and growls echoing through the forest. "No! You will obey me!" she screamed, but her words fell on deaf ears.

The first wolf lunged, sinking its teeth into her arm. She howled in pain, retaliating with a swift kick that sent the creature sprawling. But the pack was relentless, and one by one, they attacked, their numbers overwhelming her.

"Foolish beasts! You will pay for your betrayal!" she shrieked, raising her scythe to strike down the pack, and while she managed to kill five of them, there were still too many, and killing members of their own pack only made them angrier. Realizing she was losing the battle, Madame Katia turned to flee, her cloak billowing behind her as she vanished into the shadows of the forest. The remaining wolves, now free from her influence, stood panting, their eyes still alert for any sign of danger.