I closed my eyes and one image kept replaying under my eyelids. Of how they slit their throats. They may not have been my biological parents, but I had treated them that way my whole life. When I took another deep breath inside me I felt nothing. Just a cold calculation of my surroundings and a clear plan on how to get out of here. The primal, inner instinct took over. It's too late for rescue. The last brick has been demolished, and I am irretrievably lost. There is no turning back now.
- I knew this would happen. The good news is that your aunt and uncle are fine. I had to get rid of the pink haired one and the friend who visited you every day. They knew too much, and my spells really do work wonders. - He kept on babbling something satisfied with himself and his skills. Only, at this point I didn't care who was alive and who was dead. I opened my eyes and everyone in the room was in my sights as prey. My predatory instinct is bloodthirsty, and today it will get it. The redhead will pay for all the wrong he has done, for all the innocent lives sacrificed for his damn plan, for the harm he has done to me and my family. The moment has come where no one is safe, not even him. I slowly looked around and sensed a hint of fear in the air, which began to fuel me. With a few graceful movements, I got rid of the metal hoops from my limbs and fell on all fours. Within seconds, I was in the corner of the room, from where I grabbed the weapon I had prepared earlier. Without looking, I put on my costume and took two medium-sized swords in my hands. They stood stunned and stared at me, wondering if what they had just seen had really happened.
- Now it is my turn to play. - I smiled half-heartedly. Edgar pushed his son in front of him to do something with me. The coward used him as a shield. I kept the promise I had made some time ago. Fortunately, the man was not aware of our agreement, or he would have tried to stop it. I knocked the boy to the ground without much difficulty. He smiled, and single tear fell from his eyes. He moved his lips mute to me saying only two word "Thank you". After that, in one smooth motion, I pierced his heart.
- NO!!! - I heard a loud scream. - What are you still doing here! Get her! - the redhead shouted to Togor. He walked closer to me and mockingly said a few words to me:
- Do your best this time. - Out of the corner of my eye I saw a green light appear and about a dozen people rushed in through the door, alarmed by the noise. I did not pay much attention to them, because at the same moment the man attacked. I viciously brandished my swords to once and for all get rid of him and out from my life. I didn't feel the wounds he managed to inflict from time to time. Whether it was from numbness or from the heat of battle. Fortunately, at one point the scales of victory tipped on my side. One of his shoelaces untied itself. He stepped on it, which caused him to stumble, and he snatched the eagle. I sat down on his stomach and threw him a cocky smile:
- Any last wishes?
- The student has outgrown its master. In some strange way I have always treated you like a daughter. I also know that my son loved you more than anything. It was my fault for allowing any affection between the two of you at all. I feel sorry for myself that this happened, but I don't blame you. It was MY oversight. He was too weak because he fell in love with someone. Thankfully, you got rid of him in time. I wouldn't want to do it alone. I'm not sure I would have had the courage and iron will to do that. Now, it is time for me to finally meet him again. - He closed his eyes, certain of his inevitable death. This time I did my best to make sure he never came back from the grave again. I stood up, and his head rolled a few feet away. I wiped one of my swords on the sweatshirt I had pulled off, as it was terribly tattered anyway. I tore my gaze away from his body and looked around the room. Everyone was staring at me, frozen in complete stillness. They could feel the energy that pulsed from my body. I directed my gaze to Edgar standing against the wall, his body shaking with terror. I slowly walked towards him so that he could feel what it was like to be a hunted animal.
- Not as mouthy and brave as before, now are you? - I sneered. He shuddered at my icy tone, which bit like a pack of snakes.
- Bad... You'll end badly. - he howled.
- You made my life a nightmare. But I survived, and then I got out full of life. And I know I'll end up better than you. - Before anyone could move a finger, especially him, I had decapitated him with one sword and cut his torso in half with the other. I smiled in satisfaction that he would never hurt anyone again. He got what he deserved. I felt movement behind me, so I did a half turn and put my weapon to someone's throat.
- Hey, relax, it's just me. - Adrian said, raising his hands in surrender. I didn't do anything to him because one fact stopped me from doing it. He's not afraid of me. - Lower it to the ground and come home with us. - He said smiling gently and extending one of his hands toward me. I lowered the sword I was holding against his throat, but after that I kicked him hard in the tibia. I heard the breaking of bones and his cry of pain. He fell to the floor catching his wounded leg, and I headed for the exit. I had to get out of here. I was already at the door when I felt a sword, this time applied to my neck. I growled at Daniel, and my eyes began to glow.
- You'll settle down nicely and come with us, sweetheart.
- Over my dead body. - I announced and without a second thought, I struck the first blow. A fight to life and death. There was no other possible ending. We knew our weaknesses well, so we tried to exploit them. We played cat and mouse. He would attack, I would dodge. I hurt him, he retaliated. I had no mercy. My she-wolf whined inside, but I didn't give her a say. After a few minutes he was left with one sword, and after a dozen or so I was the one left with nothing. He pulled me to him by the arm, lowering the other sword along his body.
- You failed this time.
- Oh... It is you who failed again. - His face expressed surprise, which turned into an image of pain. I hit him with a small dagger, centered right in his abdomen. I pulled it out during the fight from the belt he has on his hips. He hadn't even noticed it. He let go of me and pulled out the bloody dagger, then fell to his knees, supporting himself with his hand with the sword on the ground. With his other hand he applied pressure to the wound and spat out some blood. All around me I heard women squealing. I walked over to him, lifted his chin with my index finger and looked straight into his irises.
- I always win. - I whispered and knocked him unconscious with a powerful blow to the back of the head. I ran out of the room and headed for the light. I broke the window at eye level and found myself outside. When I entered the forest, the sun was setting. It occurred to me that it was high time I visited one of my mansions. While I was still under Togor's roof, I had bought estates on almost every continent in different countries with the money I earned then. I took a moment to think where to go. Europe is out, because those countries are too close to here. Maybe Africa? A house by the sea in Madagascar sounds wonderful. It is probably waiting for my arrival. I haven't been there for a long time.

**********

The breeze of warm summer air is really, really refreshing. I was standing on one of the balconies of a huge villa. The house is located on a hill with a beautiful view of the sea, which is not far away. The whole property is fenced and positioned in such a place that no one knows about it. It is surrounded by dense forest on three sides and the fourth side overlooks the sea. It is situated at such an angle that it is impossible to see it from the beach. There is a narrow, rocky road leading to the house through the mountains, surrounded by lush vegetation. The house itself is made of marble, which is very old. Each bedroom has its own balcony, and on the first floor there is a vast veranda. A few steps down is the swimming pool and a wooden gazebo in the middle of which is a stone grill. On the other side of the house, opposite the entrance, there is a garage, where my black Range Rover is hidden. The house also has an exit to a private beach, which can be accessed via a flight of steps. At the very end, there is a coded gate. Therefore, no one can enter without my permission. I value my privacy, so there is not a single neighbor for miles around. A perfect place to take a break from everything. I've never had a problem living outside the pack, so this is one of my havens. I walked back into the house and unlocked my phone. I need to renew some friendships.