"NO! No! Daaad!!!" Lily's voice trembled with terror and desperation as she watched her father being overpowered by the massive black wolf.
Blood drained from Lily's face, leaving her as pale as paper. Her eyes widened in shock and horror as she witnessed the dreadful scene before her. The black wolf let out a long, triumphant howl as Ryan fell backward, his clothes now soaked in blood. He lay there motionless, his face expressionless as if he were a lifeless doll. His life had been snuffed out in an instant, and he stared blankly, his dilated pupils fixed on Lily.
Time seemed to freeze, and Lily felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. The reality of the situation hit her like a tidal wave, and tears streaming down her face. The wolf's howl echoed through the forest.
Lily's heart skipped a beat as she saw her mother, Eve, emerge from the edge of the forest. Eve held a small pistol in her trembling hands, her face a mix of fear and determination. She had come running after Lily, desperate to protect her daughter from the danger that lurked in the woods.
However, before Eve could react, two more wolves leaped out simultaneously, their eyes fixed on their new prey - Lily and her mother. The situation had taken a turn for the worse, and fear gripped Lily's heart. She knew that her mother's small pistol wouldn't be enough to fend off the ferocious creatures.
"No, Mom! Run!" Lily screamed, her voice pleading with urgency.
Eve's eyes widened, torn between protecting her daughter and saving herself.
But it was too late.
Pain-filled screams escaped from her mother's lips as the wolf began tearing into her body.
Lily screamed hysterically and tried to get up from where she was. "MOM!"
Her mind was a blur of fear and desperation as she watched the horrifying scene unfold before her eyes. The world seemed to slow down as she struggled to process the devastating loss of her father and now her mother.
Lily's body trembled as she lay on the cold ground, her strength ebbing away with each passing moment. She tried desperately to stand, but her broken bones gave way, causing her to collapse once again. The sight of her parents lying lifeless before her was too much to bear. Blood pooled around them, and the metallic scent of it filled the air, suffocating her.
Tears streamed down her face as she cried out in anguish, her voice echoing into the night. "Dad... Mom..."
Her heart felt shattered, and the pain was unbearable. She couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Her mind refused to accept that her parents were gone, taken from her in such a brutal and sudden manner.
Lily's cries seemed to blend with the howls of the distant wolves, creating a haunting symphony of grief and loss. The forest itself mourned with her, as if sharing in her pain.
As she looked at the lifeless bodies of her parents, memories of happier times flooded her mind. She remembered their laughter, their love, and how they always protected her from the dangers of the world. Now, they were gone, and she felt utterly alone.
As the full moon's radiant light began to dim behind the dark clouds, the wolf turned, its blood-stained teeth bared menacingly. Lily's cries grew louder, and a sharp pain in the side of her head caused her vision to blur. She tried to focus on her parents' lifeless bodies, but everything seemed hazy and distant.
The world around her felt surreal, as if she were trapped in a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. The pain in her body and the overwhelming grief weighed heavily on her, threatening to pull her into darkness.
Lily's legs gave way beneath her, and she fell to her knees, clutching her head in agony. The reality of what had transpired was too much to bear. The loss of her parents, the brutality of the attack, and the imminent danger of the wolf before her paralyzed her with fear and despair.
The wolf's growls seemed to echo inside her head, and its eyes bore into her soul, sending shivers down her spine. She felt utterly helpless, unable to defend herself against the creature that had taken everything from her.
"Let her live."
The voice wafted into Lily's ears like a gentle breeze caressing her cheeks and ears.
But Lily was in too much pain to even search for the source of the voice. Her ears registered the sound of approaching footsteps, followed by the distinct scent of cedar and cardamom leaves filling her senses. Then, a warm hand gently caressed her cheek and neck.
As the warm hand tenderly touched her, Lily's eyes fluttered open, her vision still blurred. She struggled to focus, and when her sight cleared, she found herself looking into the most striking pair of eyes she had ever seen.
The mysterious figure before her had captivating eyes, like pools of liquid silver reflecting the moon's fading light. His jawline was strong and commanding, and his gaze was cold, emanating an aura of dominance that sent shivers down her spine.
"Who... who are you?" Lily managed to whisper, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity.
The man's lips curled into a faint smile, revealing a hint of mystery. "You may call me Xander," he replied in a voice that sent chills through her veins.
Lily's mind was still reeling from the events that had unfolded moments ago, and her thoughts were in disarray.
"Take this girl with us."
Those were the words Lily heard before darkness carried her away. Lily's consciousness drifted in and out as she was carried by the mysterious figure through the dense forest.
***