Chapter 36: Chapter 36
Valeria's heart pounded painfully in her chest as fear and panic overwhelmed her. Four enormous wolves emerged from the forest, their glowing eyes fixed on Asher. They stood still for a moment, analyzing their prey, their predatory stances tense and ready to strike at the slightest movement.
From the corner of her eye, Valeria saw something shift. Panic surged—were there more wolves? But no, it was the coachman, stepping forward with a claymore in his hands. Where the fuck did he get that? And does he even know how to use it?! The thought struck her like lightning. She hadn't considered it before, but the coachman was likely a knight of Lord Lohra as well—like Asher.
The wolves' attention shifted, dividing between Asher and the coachman. Valeria remained frozen on the steps of the carriage, her body paralyzed by fear. Then, all at once, chaos erupted. One wolf lunged at the coachman while two pounced on Asher. Swords flashed in the cold light as both men fought to keep the wolves' snapping jaws away.
But Valeria had no time to watch. She caught sight of the fourth wolf prowling toward her, its low growl rumbling through the frigid air. Her breath hitched, and her stomach twisted in terror. The wolf's glowing eyes locked onto her, its body lowering, muscles coiling for a strike.
Her mind raced. Back inside the carriage or run for the forest? Neither option felt safe. The wolf could tear through the flimsy wooden door of the carriage in seconds, leaving her cornered. She couldn't outrun it, but maybe—just maybe—if she ran, Asher or the coachman might save her before it was too late.
The wolf let out a low, guttural howl, and Valeria's instincts took over. She startled, stumbling down the carriage steps before bolting toward the forest. Tears stung her eyes as she ran, her breaths ragged and frantic. "Asher! Help!" she screamed, her voice breaking with desperation.
She could hear the wolf charging after her, its growls growing louder, closer. Her legs burned, her lungs felt like they were on fire from the icy air, and the pounding of her heart echoed in her ears. "Climb a tree!" She heard Asher's distant, breathless shout. Climb a fucking tree?! How was she supposed to do that with a wolf practically on her heels?
Her legs weakened, her body trembling from exhaustion. She couldn't run much farther. This is it, she thought, a hysteric laugh bubbling up despite the terror. At least I'll die to a wolf and not at the king's hands.
But her grim thoughts were interrupted as the ground sloped sharply upward. She hadn't noticed the incline until it was too late. Her foot caught, and she tumbled, rolling helplessly down the steep forest hill. Branches clawed at her skin, and jagged rocks bruised her body as she tumbled toward the bottom. Her fall ended with a sickening slam into a tree trunk, the impact forcing the air from her lungs in a painful gasp.
For a moment, she lay there, dazed and in agony. Her entire body throbbed, her skin stinging from countless scrapes. But then she looked up. At the top of the hill, the wolf stood still, its glowing eyes locked on hers. Her heart stuttered, and she felt cold dread wash over her. Slowly, she moved her hand toward a thick branch lying beside her. The small motion caught the wolf's attention, and it tilted its head before releasing a bone-chilling howl.
It charged.
Valeria screamed, her hands scrambling for the branch. Just as the wolf lunged, she lifted the branch with all her strength, holding it out in front of her like a shield. The beast crashed into it, the impact throwing her onto her back. Its claws sank into the wood, shredding the branch as it snarled above her. She pressed against it with every ounce of strength she had, her arms trembling.
But it wasn't enough. The wolf's claws raked across her chest and stomach, tearing through her clothes and flesh. Pain exploded through her body, and she let out a bloodcurdling scream. Her grip on the branch faltered. She was about to give in when, suddenly, a sword pierced through the wolf's body.
The beast let out a pained yelp before collapsing on top of her. Its massive weight crushed her chest, and she gasped, struggling to breathe. Just as her vision began to blur, someone kicked the wolf's lifeless body off her. The sudden relief of pressure made her gasp deeply, her breaths ragged and shallow.
Asher's face appeared above her, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "My lady, are you hurt?" His voice was steady, almost cold, as though the chaos around them hadn't touched him.
Valeria stared at him, wide-eyed and trembling. Panic and pain clouded her thoughts, making it hard to focus. She couldn't speak. Her breaths came too fast, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
Without warning, Asher slapped her—not hard, but enough to snap her out of her hysteria.
"W-what the hell?!" she gasped, her voice cracking.
"I asked if you're hurt," he repeated, his tone clipped and impatient. His eyes scanned her blood-soaked body, frustration flashing in them. "Under all this blood, I can't tell what's yours and what's the wolf's."
The slap had done its job, pulling her back to reality, but the pain was now unbearable. "Yes, bastard… do something!" she snapped weakly, her voice strained with agony.
"I would if you'd tell me where you're injured," he said, his annoyance palpable.
She groaned, clenching her teeth against the pain. "My chest… stomach… and back…" Her words came out slow and labored. Darkness crept into her vision, and she felt herself slipping.
"Stay awake," Asher barked, his voice suddenly urgent. He scooped her into his arms, and she whimpered as fresh pain shot through her body. Without ceremony, he threw her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
A pained groan escaped her lips. "Could you—ugh—not carry me this way?" she gritted out, but her voice was barely above a whisper.
He ignored her, climbing the steep hill with determined strides. Valeria's body ached with every step, and she fought to stay conscious. The world around her blurred as the pain grew unbearable.
"Asher…" she murmured weakly, her voice trailing off.
"Fuck! Stay awake!" he snapped, his voice the last thing she heard before darkness consumed her.