The Wolf's Obsession

Chapter 14: Blood and Fire.

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Time seemed to slow as Isabella's scream filled the air, her voice blending with the cacophony of violence below. Her body froze, paralyzed by the sight of De Luca's cold, merciless aim. The sound of the gunshot shattered the night, echoing like thunder in the confined space of the safe house.

Isabella's breath caught, her chest tightening as Alessandro staggered back, his hand pressed to his side. A dark stain spread across his shirt, but he didn't fall. His eyes burned with fury, and instead of retreating, he surged forward with predatory precision.

"You missed," Alessandro growled, his voice a low snarl as he fired back.

De Luca sidestepped the bullet with an almost casual ease, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "You're as stubborn as ever, lupo. But this ends tonight."

The men clashed, their fight unfolding like a deadly dance. Alessandro's movements were sharp, calculated, but his injury was slowing him down. De Luca, with his entourage still lurking in the shadows, had the upper hand.

"Stay down!" Elena hissed, grabbing Isabella's arm and pulling her flat against the loft floor. "If they see you, it's over."

Isabella's mind raced, torn between fear and fury. She couldn't just sit there, hiding, while Alessandro fought for their lives. Her eyes darted to the knife clutched in Elena's trembling hands. "Give me that," she whispered, her voice firm.

Elena hesitated, her expression a mix of shock and determination. "Isabella-"

"Now!" Isabella snapped, the urgency in her voice leaving no room for argument.

Elena handed over the blade, and Isabella gripped it tightly, her palms slick with sweat. She peeked over the edge of the loft, her gaze locking on Alessandro. He was holding his ground, but just barely. De Luca's men were circling, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Isabella's heart pounded as she spotted a ladder leading down to the main room. Her mind screamed at her to stay put, to trust Alessandro to handle this, but her body moved on instinct. Quietly, she began to descend, her movements slow and deliberate.

Elena's whispered protests faded behind her as she reached the bottom. She crouched low, her grip on the knife tightening as she scanned the room for an opening.

Alessandro and De Luca were locked in a fierce struggle, their weapons forgotten as they grappled hand to hand. Alessandro's strength was faltering, his wound sapping his energy, but his eyes blazed with determination.

"You've taken everything from me," Alessandro growled, his voice strained. "But you won't touch her."

De Luca sneered, his tone mocking. "And yet, here she is, caught in the middle of your mess. You're just like your father-a fool who thought he could protect what he loved."

The mention of Alessandro's father hit like a physical blow. Isabella saw the flicker of pain in his expression, but it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by raw, unyielding fury.

Seizing the moment, Isabella darted forward, her small frame going unnoticed amidst the chaos. Her target wasn't De Luca-it was one of his men, standing just a few feet away, his gun aimed at Alessandro.

Without hesitation, she drove the knife into the man's side, the force of her attack surprising even herself. The man let out a choked cry, his weapon clattering to the floor as he crumpled.

The noise drew De Luca's attention. He turned, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Isabella. "Ah, the artist," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "So eager to play the hero."

Alessandro's gaze snapped to her, his expression a mix of anger and fear. "Isabella, no!"

But it was too late. De Luca lunged toward her, his hand reaching for the gun she'd just disarmed. Isabella stumbled back, her heart racing as she tried to raise the knife again.

Before De Luca could reach her, Alessandro surged forward, slamming into him with a force that sent them both crashing to the ground. The knife flew from Isabella's hand, skidding across the floor as she scrambled backward.

The fight between Alessandro and De Luca grew more brutal, their movements a blur of rage and desperation. The remaining men seemed unsure, caught off guard by Isabella's unexpected attack and Alessandro's unrelenting ferocity.

Elena appeared at the top of the loft,

her voice cutting through the chaos.

"They're retreating!"

Isabella's gaze snapped to the doorway, where the remaining men were retreating into the forest. Only De Luca remained, his arrogance replaced by fury as he realized his backup was gone.

"This isn't over," De Luca spat, his breath ragged. "You'll never outrun me, Alessandro. Or her."

Alessandro didn't reply. With a final burst of strength, he slammed De Luca's head against the floor, rendering him unconscious.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Isabella sank to her knees, her body trembling as the adrenaline drained away. She barely registered Elena rushing down the stairs or Alessandro staggering to his feet.

He moved toward her, his steps unsteady. "Isabella," he said, his voice hoarse.

She looked up at him, her vision blurred by tears she hadn't realized were falling. "You're hurt," she whispered, reaching for him.

He caught her hand, his grip firm despite the blood staining his skin. "You shouldn't have come down," he said, his tone a mix of anger and relief.

"And let you die?" she shot back, her voice trembling. "I couldn't just sit there and do nothing."

His gaze softened, but before he could respond, Elena spoke. "We have to go. De Luca's men might be regrouping. This place isn't safe anymore."

Alessandro nodded, his expression grim. He turned to Isabella, his hand still holding hers. "Stay close," he said. "No more heroics."

Together, they gathered what little supplies they could and slipped into the night, leaving the safe house behind.

As they moved through the forest, Isabella glanced back, her heart heavy. The safe house had been their last refuge, and now it was gone.

Ahead, Alessandro led the way, his posture rigid despite his injuries. Elena walked beside him, her face set in a determined mask.

But Isabella couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. De Luca's words echoed in her mind, a chilling promise that hung over them like a shadow.

And as the first light of dawn broke through the trees, she knew one thing for certain: their fight had only just begun.

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To be continued...
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