Chapter 73

A rush of heat surged through her veins, burning like liquid fire. Like a current that surged through a copper wire. She jiggled, her muscles pulsating. In no time, she trembled as an unfamiliar power roared to life within her. 

It wasn't pain—it was something else. Something untamed and terrifying. Something she could not believe nor quite understand.

Her eyes snapped open, and at that instant… Everything felt sharper as she could hear distant sounds of the fireflies. Her eyes looked clearly as she could see well through the darkness. The scent of the omegas, the sound of their breaths, even the faint rustle of leaves—it all hit her senses at once.

The omega in front of her hesitated, his claws pausing midair. “What the—”

Lucy let out a guttural growl, cutting the omega off in front of her. The sound was low but primal and it didn't sound like it belonged to her. It wasn't her voice but something deep within her. Her captor, the one behind her back, loosened his grip just enough for her to twist herself and eventually freed herself.

She didn't think for a moment, nor hesitated—she acted. Her hand shot out. This time around, it was faster than she'd ever moved before. She grabbed the omega’s wrist and twisted it with a force that made him howl in pain.

The others stared, stunned, unable to comprehend what was going on. They knew her too well as the wolfless girl. Then, how come she was able to growl and make use of it—maybe they misheard her abilities.

One of them took a cautious step back, his confidence faltering. “What the hell?” he muttered, his voice trembling.

Lucy froze on a spot. Her fingers widened on either side. She didn't move an inch and the rest of the omegas didn't move either. It was only the man she twisted his wrist that seemed to struggle on the ground so as to get away from her as far as possible. They could not get close to her as they were still surprised with the sight they had seen. Lucy felt different from the way she was used to—stronger, more alive than she'd ever been. 

She raised both her hands and held it mid-air, her palm upward, facing her. She stared at her palms for a moment and in no time, her fingers curled instinctively as if expecting claws to appear. Her heart pounded, but it wasn't fear anymore. Her fear had been long gone the moment she let out the growl.

The omega she’d disarmed scrambled back, clutching his wrist. The other omega who had stepped back also snarled, his hesitation giving way to anger. “Don't just stand there! Take her down! Now!”

They moved as one, rushing her from different angles. But Lucy was ready.

She ducked under the first attack, her movement fast like a rushing fluid. She swung her arm, connecting with the ribs of another omega and sending him sprawling to the ground. A third tried to grab her but she spun around and slammed her elbow into his jaw, the crack of impact echoing in the night.

The sound of the crack was loud enough to jiggle the other out of the confidence they wore on their face—telling them they have to be careful.

The leader, the one who held her before she fought back, growled in frustration, his claws out and shiny, ready to pierce through whatever came their way. He charged at her but this time around, Lucy wasn't as fast as the leader of the omega was. A sharp pain exploded across her shoulder and shot down to her back as the omega had crouched down when almost close to her and then had turned in a swift, raking his claws down on her shoulder. She gasped, stumbling forward, blood soaking through her torn dress.

Her knees buckled for a moment, almost losing her balance, but she caught herself. Her hands clenched into fists, trembled not from fear but from the strange, fiery energy coursing through her.

“She's bleeding,” one of the omegas pointed out with his finger, his voice almost wavering.

“Finish her off!” the leader barked, though even he seemed uncertain now.

Lucy turned to him, her chest heaving. “Try it,” she growled, her voice low and feral.

The leader hesitated, his eyes narrowing. He lunged, his claws extended but Lucy moved faster this time around. She sidestepped and drove her elbow into his ribs. The impact sent shockwaves of pain through her already wounded arm. But the omega doubled over, gasping. Lucy didn't waste another moment despite the pain she felt. She rushed at him and grabbed his head, slamming it against her knee.

The other omegas froze, their confidence shattering little by little. Why won't it anyway. They could see with their eyes how the one who had led them took a serious beating from a mere slave. How was that possible?

Blood dripped from Lucy's wounds. Her vision went blurry for some seconds but yet, she stood tall, her breath coming out ragged and her eyes locked on the remaining wolves. That was the best she could do, knowing that she could not give herself away by showing any weakness. They wouldn't hesitate to take her out since that was their mission.

“Get away from me.” she spat, her voice trembling with both anger and exhaustion.

One of them took a cautious step back. “But we were told she doesn't have her wolf… how is this possible?” he stammered, expecting a response from the rest of the omegas. 

“Just shut up!” the leader of the omegas growled, though his tone was laced conviction as it faltered at the end, just before he finished with his words. He wiped the blood from his face, glaring at Lucy.

Lucy straightened, ignoring the pain that throbbed through her body. “It is about time you all leave.” she said, her voice steady despite the fear and adrenaline coursing through her.

She knew better and was trying to avoid the fight. There was no way she could fight them off. Yes, she had her wolf already but she wasn't ready. Not now—not with them. She would eventually be defeated if she was to go on and fight them off. The best way she could think of to avoid the fight was to showcase a confident demeanor.

The leader, holding his ribs, hesitated for a moment and then motioned to the others. “Let's go.”

They all retreated, their steps hurried as they disappeared into the shadows.

Lucy could smell their scent. She waited until their scents faded and then collapsed to her knees, her body trembling. She pressed a hand to her side, feeling the warm, sticking blood seeping through her fingers. Her chest ached, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

What just happened? What was that? Could it be my wolf?

She stared at her hands, expecting claws or some sign of a wolf but they were just hands—bloodied, trembling but human.

Her mind raced with questions as to what was going on with her. But then, she knew she could not stay where she was for so long. The growl—the cries–the scream while she struggled might have woken up some of the guards and probably they were on patrol as she was on her knees.

She pushed her thoughts aside and slowly, painfully, she got to her feet, her legs shaking beneath her. She wiped the blood from her face and started limping toward the pack house—her house.