The werewolf

Lila Reid walked through the grand hallway of the vacation home, the soft click of her heels echoing against the polished wooden floor. She was headed to her father's study, intending to ask him about their plans for the evening. The summer sun filtered through the large windows, casting long shadows that danced on the walls.

As she approached the partially open door, she heard her father's deep voice, laced with a tone she had come to recognize as authoritative. Curiosity piqued, Lila paused just outside, her hand hovering near the doorknob.

"Well, the next election, we are bringing Christian Houghton as a flag bearer," her father said. There was a rustling of papers, followed by the distinct clink of ice in a glass.

Her sister's voice chimed in, light and airy but with an undercurrent of seriousness. "He needs a wife, and it's time for Lila to start settling down. She will marry sensibly. The union of the two families would be… beneficial to all of us."

Lila's breath caught in her throat. She pressed herself against the wall, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. The words reverberated in her mind, a harsh cacophony of betrayal and control. Marry sensibly? As if she were a pawn to be moved and sacrificed in their political game.

She bit her lip, tears stinging her eyes as anger welled up inside her. They had discussed her future, her life, without even considering her desires or dreams. It was all about power and alliances, reducing her to a mere asset.

Unable to bear the weight of their conversation any longer, she turned on her heel and fled. Her footsteps were silent this time, driven by a mix of sorrow and fury. She slipped through the back door and into the garden, the cool air hitting her tear-streaked face.

The world outside seemed indifferent to her pain. The vibrant flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the birds chirped merrily in the trees. She broke into a run, her shoes sinking into the soft earth as she headed towards the woods that bordered the property.

Branches scratched at her skin and leaves tangled in her hair as she pushed deeper into the forest. Her vision blurred with tears, but she kept running, driven by an urgent need to escape the suffocating plans laid out for her.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally slowed, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She leaned against a tree, trying to steady herself. The anger still roiled within her, but now it was mixed with a profound sadness. How could her own family see her as nothing more than a strategic tool?

A rustle nearby snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up, her eyes widening in fear as a large wolf stepped into view. Its fur was a deep, silvery gray, and its eyes glinted with a wild intelligence. It growled, a low, menacing sound that sent a shiver down her spine.

Lila froze, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure the wolf could hear it. She had read about wolves but had never expected to encounter one so close. Panic surged through her, and she took a tentative step back, her gaze never leaving the predator.

The wolf advanced, its eyes locked on hers. It was close enough now that she could see the individual hairs on its muzzle, the sharp glint of its teeth. Lila's mind raced, a whirlwind of fear and despair. Was this how it would end? Was she to be torn apart, forgotten in these woods, another casualty of her family's ruthless ambitions?

She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. But then, nothing happened. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find the wolf standing mere inches from her, its head tilted to the side as if contemplating her. There was something almost human in its gaze, a flicker of curiosity that seemed out of place.

The wolf sniffed at her, its nose brushing against her hand. Lila remained still, barely daring to breathe. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath with her. The forest was silent, the air thick with an unspoken understanding.

Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the wolf backed away. It gave her one last, lingering look before turning and disappearing into the underbrush. Lila watched it go, her body trembling with relief and confusion.

She sank to the ground, the adrenaline leaving her limbs weak and shaky. The tears came again, but this time they were a release, a purging of all the fear, anger, and sadness that had built up inside her. She cried for her lost innocence, for the betrayal of her family, and for the strange, unexplainable encounter with the wolf.

When the tears finally subsided, she felt strangely lighter, as if the weight of her family's expectations had been lifted, if only for a moment. She knew she couldn't return to the house just yet, couldn't face the cold calculations of her father and sister.

The sound of voices broke the stillness, and Lila's heart leapt into her throat. She wiped her tears hurriedly, standing up on shaky legs. The voices grew louder, more distinct, and she recognized them—her father's bodyguards.

"Lila! Miss Reid! Where are you?" Their shouts pierced the air, filled with concern and urgency.

She took a deep breath, stepping out from behind the tree. The bodyguards spotted her immediately, their relief palpable as they rushed to her side.

"Miss Reid, are you alright?" one of them asked, his eyes scanning her for any signs of injury.

Lila nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm fine. I just needed some air."

The bodyguards exchanged worried glances but didn't press her further. They guided her back through the woods, their presence a stark reminder of the world she had momentarily escaped.

As they reached the edge of the forest, Lila glanced back one last time. The memory of the wolf lingered in her mind.