Heirs, 39

(POV: Renata):

"Get out of my way!" I demand angrily as I'm blocked by two men in front of the house door. My mother orchestrated everything perfectly, she even has henchmen.

"I'm sorry, but Mrs. Scarllet said no one..."

"I'm her daughter," I say firmly. "You better step aside now!" I order, feeling a strange tightness in my chest.

They exchange glances and allow me to pass. I don't thank them, I just walk past them and even push their shoulders.

"Idiots," I mutter.

My whole body tenses up as I see blood on the floor near the couch. I hear screams coming from the first floor and a deep sense of dread washes over me. Slowly, with my heart pounding, I climb the stairs, walk down the hallway until I get close to Nicollas' office. I stop and hold my breath upon hearing Lina's voice.

"What..." she spits out blood. "What did you do to my... daughter?" she says with difficulty, and I'm shocked to learn she had a daughter. I move a bit closer to hear my mother's response.

"How naive you are, Lina," my mother laughs. "She's not your daughter; she's mine!" she says firmly, and I feel the blood drain from my face. "Just like you took everything from me, I will take everything from you. The day you gave birth, it was so easy for me to infiltrate and steal the little one."

"My... daughter," Lina cries.

"I've already told you she's mine," Scarllet yells impatiently. "Renata is now my daughter, my accomplice, and you know what's the best part?" she asks but doesn't wait for an answer. "She's been here all this time, undercover to help me with this revenge. If I'm here today, thank Lena for that," she says with a victorious smile. "Or rather, thank Renata."

"No," Lina says in horror, and the sound of bones breaking startles me. Then, an unbearable pain engulfs my body, and I put my hands over my mouth to stifle a scream.

"She's been here all this time, Nic," Lina says with her voice muffled by the swelling on her face.

"Yes, my daughter... has been here all this time," he says emotionally, and I feel terrible.

"I've already told you she's mine!" Scarllet yells. "And she's outside; she's the one who brought me here," Scarllet says triumphantly. "How does it feel, Lina? Renata has been here all this time, right under your nose, ate with you, gained your trust, and betrayed you. How do you feel? Come on! Tell me, your failed project!" Scarllet says, and another sound of bones breaking.

I can't believe what I heard; it can't be true, it can't. Thick tears start rolling down my eyes; I must have heard it wrong; this is a mistake. With slow steps, I enter the office, catching everyone's attention. My heart shatters into pieces as I see Lina's condition. Her face is swollen and bruised, her arms and legs are tied, and she's lying on the floor with a huge pool of blood beneath her.

"I'm sorry," I say with a trembling voice, looking at Lina.

"Daughter..." Scarllet tries to touch me, but I evade her.

"You... You said my parents didn't want me," I accuse, and I see fear in the eyes of the woman I thought was my mother.

"My daughter," she tries to touch me, but I grab her hand before she can touch me. "You misunderstood everything; I..."

"You stole me from my family," I accuse without mercy. "You hid me all these years and used me for a senseless revenge, manipulated me... you only used me for your vile plan!"

"She wouldn't have given you the love I did," Scarllet says, and I stare at her with terror and disappointment.

I feel my tears boil to the point where I feel my skin melting, my bones being crushed, it hurts so much.

"Aaaah," I scream, doubling over, and it feels like my lungs won't let me breathe anymore.

"Nic," I hear Lina's concerned voice.

I fall to my knees, my vision blurs, but I can see my fingers transforming into huge claws and white fur like clouds appearing on my hands, which have turned into paws. I feel my spine breaking and reassembling at the same time; the pain is mind-boggling.

"Hello, I'm Luana," I hear a velvety voice.

"What are you?" I ask, confused.

"I'm your wolf."

I'm startled, and my eyes get heavier until I pass out.

(POV: Deniel)

I pace back and forth with a racing heart, a strange sensation takes over me, as if something terrible is happening right now.

I huff in frustration, I can't stay still, I need to go to the wolf territory immediately to warn Lina about the danger that threatens her. Scarllet can be extremely dangerous when she's angry, and that makes her unpredictable.

I grab my black leather jacket, the keys to the pickup truck, and start heading towards my destination. It's been years since I was last there, and I'd prefer never to return, but something compels me, and I feel it's of utmost importance.

I step on the accelerator and speed away, like in a "Fast and Furious" movie. I cross the bridge over the river, and after half an hour of driving, I reach the entrance to the dark forest. From here on, I can't continue by car. I get out of the truck and start venturing into the dense vegetation.

"I have to hurry," I whisper to myself as I pick up the pace.

Things have changed considerably around here. There's no longer that eerie atmosphere from before, but still, I feel a deep unease. I need to be alert to everything; I can't let my guard down, after all, I'm a witch in wolf territory. I stop abruptly when I spot a large white wolf a few meters away from me.

My eyes are captivated by the blue eyes of that creature, and a warm feeling spreads through my heart. This wolf is exceptionally beautiful.

Suddenly, it starts running toward me, as if I were a tasty prey. I admit I feel a bit intimidated. I have no weapons at my disposal, and facing it without using magic would be difficult, something I'd rather avoid, as it would be a declaration of war against its kind.

But something unexpected happens. The wolf stops running and stands inches away from me, starting to circle around my body and staring at me with its ears lowered.

"Mine!" I hear its voice, realizing it's a female. If she's this beautiful in her wolf form, I can't even imagine what she must look like as a human. I raise my hand and touch her snout; an electric shock runs through my entire body.

"Mine!" I murmur to myself, but I'm confused for a moment. I can't be enchanted by a wolf; just like my kind, hers also has destined mates. I've seen this scene before, and I don't want to repeat the same mistakes of the past. Quickly, I pull my hand away and step back, keeping my eyes closed.

"You reject me," I hear her voice again, now tinged with hurt and anger. Without me being able to predict her next move, she lunges at me and throws me aside. I hit my back against a tree and let out a groan of pain.

"Calm down," I plead with my voice affected by the impact on my spine. "I came in peace; I won't hurt you."

"You didn't want me," she accuses and tries to push me again, but I manage to dodge her attacks.

Now what? What should I do?