Chapter 6
Ella's POV:
I was busy watering the garden, enjoying the warm sun on my skin and the sound of birds chirping in the trees. It was a peaceful afternoon, and I was feeling grateful for this little slice of heaven we had created for ourselves.
But then, without warning, a group of angry people appeared in our yard. They were armed with sticks, rocks, and knives, and their faces were twisted with hatred.
"Isithikazi!" one of them shouted, using the Zulu word for "witch". "You're a witch, Ella! You're married to a demon!"
I was shocked and confused. What were they talking about? I tried to ask them what I had done, but they just laughed and jeered.
"You're going to burn for your sins, witch!" one of them spat, grabbing hold of me.
I struggled and kicked, but there were too many of them. They bound my arms and legs with ropes and started dragging me away.
I was terrified. I didn't know what they were going to do to me, but I knew it couldn't be good.
Just as I thought all was lost, I heard a loud roar and saw Marcel charging towards us. His eyes were blazing with fury, and his face was twisted in a snarl.
The mob didn't stand a chance. Marcel tore into them with a ferocity that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. I watched in horror as he killed them one by one, his movements swift and deadly.
It was over in a matter of minutes. The mob lay dead at our feet, and Marcel stood panting, his chest heaving with exertion.
I stared at him, shocked and frightened by what I had just seen. Marcel's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw something there that I had never seen before. Something primal and wild.
And then, in an instant, it was gone. Marcel's face returned to normal, and he rushed to my side, untying my bonds and pulling me into his arms.
"Ella, I'm so sorry," he whispered, holding me close. "I should have been here to protect you. I'll never let anyone hurt you again."
I pulled back from Marcel, my eyes searching his face. "Why are they doing this?" I asked, my voice shaking with emotion. "The locals were always so friendly and welcoming. What's changed?"
Marcel's expression was grim. "It's because of what happened at the building fire," he said. "I saved that girl from getting burned, and now they think I'm some kind of demon or monster."
I felt a wave of shock wash over me. "You mean they're hostile towards us because you saved someone's life?" I asked, incredulous. "They'd rather the girl had died than for you to have saved her?"
Marcel nodded. "I'm afraid so. Humans fear what they don't understand, Ella. And right now, they don't understand me."
I felt a surge of anger and frustration. "What kind of people are these?" I demanded. "They're so quick to judge and condemn someone who's only trying to help."
Marcel's expression was calm and resigned. "It's just the way things are, Ella. But we can't let it get to us. We have to focus on keeping ourselves and Evelyn safe."
I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. "You're right. We need to go fetch Evelyn from school before she gets caught up in all of this."
Marcel nodded, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "Let's go. We'll get Evelyn and then figure out our next move."....
Author's POV:
Rolan and Selena stood at the outskirts of the Lone Wolf City, their eyes scanning the sprawling metropolis before them. This was a place where wolves without a pack came to seek refuge, a city of outcasts and misfits.
Most of the wolves who dwelled here had been banished from their packs, cast out for their treachery or disobedience. Others had lost their pack members in battles or conflicts, and had wandered here seeking a new sense of belonging. And then there were those who simply didn't believe in the idea of a pack, who preferred to live as lone wolves, answerable to no one.
Rolan and Selena knew that recruiting pack members from this city wouldn't be easy. The wolves who lived here had a reputation for being double-crossers, wolves who would stab you in the back the moment you turned your back on them. It was a city of opportunists, where loyalty was a luxury few could afford.
But Rolan and Selena were desperate. They needed to strengthen their pack, to build a loyal and formidable force that would protect them from their enemies. And so, they were willing to take a chance on the wolves of the Lone Wolf City, no matter how treacherous they might be. Though they knew better than coming alone. They were flanked by three of their pack members: Bale, a burly and imposing wolf with a gruff demeanor; Trent, a sleek and agile wolf with a mischievous glint in his eye; and Pearl, a petite and gentle wolf with a calm and soothing presence.
Together, the five of them formed a formidable team, each bringing their unique skills and strengths to the table. Rolan and Selena had brought them along on this journey to provide additional support and protection, knowing that the Lone Wolf City was not a place for the faint of heart..:
As they walked into the city, Rolan led the way, his eyes scanning the crowded streets for the perfect destination. "The night club," he said, his voice low and confident. "That's where we'll find most of the wolves."
Selena nodded in agreement, her senses on high alert. The city was alive with the sounds of music and laughter, the smell of food and drink wafting through the air. But Rolan and Selena were on a mission, and they didn't have time to indulge in the city's pleasures.
They arrived at the night club, a sprawling complex that pulsed with music and energy. The sign above the door read "Moonlight", and the bouncer, a massive human with a stern expression, eyed them warily as they approached.
Rolan flashed him a charming smile, and the bouncer stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Inside, the club was a whirlwind of color and sound, the air thick with the smell of perfume and sweat.:
As they scanned the crowded club, Selena's eyes picked up on the subtle energy of werewolves. She nodded to Rolan, and he followed her gaze to the bar, where a lone werewolf sat, sipping a drink and eyeing the crowd with a mixture of boredom and curiosity.
Selena's gaze continued to sweep the club, picking up on the presence of four more werewolves. One was dancing with a human girl on the dance floor, his eyes closed in ecstasy as he moved to the music. Another was sitting in a corner booth, nursing a drink and staring at the crowd with a mixture of disdain and disinterest.
A third werewolf was standing near the stage, watching the stripper with a look of intense fascination. And the fifth werewolf was sitting at the bar, chatting up the bartender and laughing loudly as he downed shot after shot.
Rolan's eyes narrowed as he took in the scattered werewolves. "Looks like we've got our work cut out for us," he said, his voice low and confident. "Let's go make some connections."
Marcel's POV:
I pulled up to the school, my heart racing with a mix of anxiety and urgency. Ella sat beside me, her eyes fixed on the school building as if willing Evelyn to appear.
We jumped out of the car and rushed into the school, asking to see our daughter. A staff member nodded and hurried off to fetch Evelyn, but she returned a few minutes later, looking worried.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't find Evelyn in her class or anywhere in the school," she said, her voice apologetic.
Ella's face crumpled, and she let out a frantic cry. "Where is she?" she demanded, her voice rising to a hysterical pitch. "I want to see my daughter!"
I felt a surge of panic, but I forced myself to remain calm. I knew that losing control would only make things worse. But Ella didn't have the same self-control, and her frantic demands drew the attention of Evelyn's class teacher and the principal.
The teacher, Mrs. Johnson, rushed over to us, looking concerned. "What's going on?" she asked, her eyes darting between Ella and me.
The principal, Mr. Smith, appeared behind her, his face stern. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice firm.
I explained the situation to the principal and Evelyn's teacher, Mrs. Johnson. "We came to pick up our daughter, but we were told she's not here," I said, trying to keep my tone calm.
Mr. Smith's expression turned serious. "I'll call the police right away," he said. "We'll do everything we can to find Evelyn."
But before he could make the call, Mrs. Johnson spoke up. "Wait, I think there's been a misunderstanding," she said. "Mrs. Peterson didn't you come to pick up Evelyn just a few minutes ago?"
Ella's eyes widened in shock. "No, I didn't," she said. "I've been with Marcel the whole time. We came together to pick up Evelyn."
But Mrs. Johnson was insistent. "I could have sworn it was you," she said. "Let me check the surveillance footage."
She disappeared into the office, leaving Ella and me exchanging worried glances. When Mrs. Johnson returned, her face was pale.
"It's definitely you, Mrs. Peterson," she said, holding up a tablet with the surveillance footage. "You can see Evelyn leaving with... with someone who looks exactly like you."
Ella's eyes went wide as she stared at the footage. "That's not me," she whispered. "I don't know who that is."
But I knew. I remembered what Evelyn had told me about seeing her "mom" in the woods. And now, I realized that the person who had taken Evelyn was the same figure that had been impersonating Ella.
My heart was racing with fear and anger. I knew that staying in the school wasn't going to solve anything. Evelyn was in real danger, and I had to find her fast.
"We need to go," I said, grabbing Ella's hand. "We can't waste any more time."