Chapter 44
“Lena, stop!” I begged, struggling against the ropes. “You don’t have to do this! Please, just let me go!”
She ignored me, her movements deliberate and full of rage.
The gasoline spread in wide streaks, the smell growing stronger with every second. My heart raced, and I tried pulling at the ropes, but they were too tight.
Just as I was about to scream again, the door creaked open, and another figure stepped inside.
It was Billy. My heart sank at the sight of him. He was leaning on crutches, his face pale but his eyes sharp. In his hand, he held a small lighter.
“Bally,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing here?”
He didn’t answer me. Instead, he limped over to his mother and handed her the lighter with a wicked grin. “Here, Mom,” he said. “You can set her on fire now.”
My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
Billy was just a child–how could he think something so cruel? How could he want this?
“Billy,” I tried again, my voice breaking, “this isn’t you. You don’t want to do this. Please, listen to me.”
But Billy only sneered. “You deserve this,” he said coldly.
Lena looked at me, her expression hardening even further. “Say goodbye, because you’re going straight to hell,” she said.
She flicked the lighter, and the tiny flame danced in the air.
“No! Don’t!” I screamed, my voice filled with terror.
But she didn’t stop. Lena bent down and touched the flame to the gasoline–soaked floor. The fire roared to life instantly, spreading fast. The heat hit me like a wave, and I coughed as thick smoke filled the air.
Lena grabbed Billy’s arm and guided him out of the cabin. “Come on,” she said calmly, as if she hadn’t just sentenced me to death. They disappeared through the door, leaving me behind.
The flames grew higher, licking at the walls and floor around me.
The heat was unbearable, scorching my skin, and the thick smoke filled my lungs, making it hard to breathe.
I coughed violently, struggling to pull in air. My eyes burned, and tears streamed down my face as I fought against the ropes with all my strength.
I felt helpless, trapped, and terrified. My mind raced, searching for a way out, but there was nothing I could do.
In that moment, a name came to my mind–a name I hadn’t thought of in years.
“Branwen!” I screamed, my voice raw and desperate. “Branwen, please! Help me!”
I didn’t know why I called for him. It had been so long since I’d seen him, and I had no idea if he would even hear me.
But something deep inside me believed he would.
The fire roared louder, and I felt the ropes digging into my skin as I struggled harder.
My vision blurred, and I thought this was the end. Then, out of nowhere, the door burst open with a loud crash.
Through the smoke and flames, I saw a large figure–Branwen.
His golden eyes glowed in the dim light as he shifted into his wolf form without hesitation. His powerful wolf leapt toward me, ignoring the flames that singed his fur.
He bit at the ropes around my wrists, tugging and pulling with all his strength.
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Alpha’s Regret: Magnificent Return of the Rejected Luna
Chapter 44
“Branwen!” I cried, relief flooding me as I realized he had come for me.
The ropes snapped, and my arms fell free. My legs were still tied, but Branwen’s wolf quickly tore through those too.
…I stumbled forward, coughing and gasping for air as he nudged me toward the open door.
I fell to the ground outside, landing on cool grass. Fresh air filled my lungs, and I lay there, breathing deeply as my heart raced. The world spun around me, and I could barely move, but I was alive.
“Are you okay?” a familiar voice called out.
I turned my head and saw Silas running toward me, his face filled with worry.
He dropped to his knees beside me and pulled me into his arms. His hands moved over my arms and face, checking for injuries.
Ded they hurt you? Are you burned? Talk to me!” he demanded, his voice trembling.
“I’m fine,” I managed to whisper, though my throat felt raw from the smoke. “I’m okay.”
But my eyes weren’t on Silas. They were on Branwen, who stood a few feet away in his human form now. His face was calm, but his golden eyes were locked on mine.
How could he have known? Was there some connection between us that I didn’t understand?
As Silas helped me to my feet, my thoughts stayed on Branwen
He had saved me when I thought all hope was lost. I didn’t know what it meant, but I knew one thing for sure–I owed him my life.
