CHAPTER 9

(RHEA'S POV)

"Ugh…." I grunted, feeling like my insides were being twisted into knots. Tied to the arbor, the sun beat down on me, mingling with the ache in my heart. The plants around me seemed indifferent witnesses to my distress, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze.

Every wave of pain felt like a stab, sharp and relentless. I clenched my jaw, trying to hold myself together as the pain threatened to overwhelm me. It was like I was being torn apart from the inside out.

As if on cue, screams from inside the ballroom hall shattered the garden's tranquility. Everyone's attention shifted to the chaos unfolding inside. Some froze, their expressions a mix of fear and uncertainty, while others dashed inside, eager to uncover the cause of the uproar.

As the tension thickened, I knew I had to move quickly. Drawing on my wolf strength, I focused on breaking free from the plant bindings. The clatter of dishes from the ballroom heightened my anxiety, and seeing people flee only fueled my d