Chapter 284

Olivia

The journey to the villa felt as if it stretched on for hours, though in reality, it was probably a mere span of minutes.

Every second was punctuated by the clash of claws against flesh, the howls of pain, and the scorching scent of fire that tickled the back of my throat. The menacing shadows of Ryan’s men seemed endless, but with Nathan by my side, and the newfound power surging through my veins, I felt unstoppable.

“Olivia!” Nathan yelled, as he fended off two attackers. “Left!”

I barely had time to process his warning before I felt the rush of air to my side. Instinctively, I swung around, my hand connecting with the jaw of a burly man who had been aiming for my throat.

The force of my blow surprised me; he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

“I told you,” Nathan grinned, slashing at another opponent, “it’s never dull with you.”

I smirked. “Let’s get to the villa. The kids need us.”

Darting forward, I was almost overwhelmed by the strength of my new senses. The scents of fear, rage, and burning wood were more profound than I'd ever experienced, even in wolf form. My vision, sharp and precise, allowed me to anticipate every movement.

A flicker of movement to my right caught my attention. A man was charging straight for Nathan, a silver-tipped dagger glinting in his hand.

Without hesitation, I lunged, my speed catching him off guard. We tumbled to the ground, and before he could react, I had him pinned, my hand clamped around his wrist.

“Go,” I commanded, using the same tone that had previously immobilized Ryan’s men.

He went limp, his eyes glazed, and I knew my command ability was working perfectly.

“You’re getting the hang of this, aren't you?” Nathan commented, looking impressed.

“I always was a quick learner.” I winked, standing up and surveying the surroundings.

The road to the villa was littered with fallen foes and Ryan’s men, seemingly in endless supply, blocking our path. But we were undeterred. Each step forward was a testament to our resolve, our love for our family, and the power that coursed through my veins.

As we neared a particularly dense crowd, I tapped into my vision once more. Beyond the throng, I could see an open alleyway that could lead us closer to the villa.

“Nathan,” I whispered, pointing discreetly. “That way.”

He nodded, and together, we plunged headfirst into the sea of enemies. Nathan was a whirlwind, his experience and skills evident as he moved with precision and efficiency. And I, fueled by the power of the Ancient Wolf, was his equal.

A massive man with tattoos snaking up his arms tried to flank Nathan, but I was quicker. I ducked under his swing and, using my enhanced agility, jumped, driving my knee into his face. He collapsed, groaning, and I didn’t waste a second before pulling Nathan to the alley I’d spotted.

The narrow pathway seemed empty, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. I inhaled deeply, sorting through the myriad scents. My advanced sense of smell picked up nothing but the distant aroma of the villa's gardens.

“Clear,” I murmured, pressing forward.

But just as we were almost out of the alleyway, three figures blocked our way, their intentions clear. I felt Nathan tense beside me, ready to fight.

Yet, I remembered the command ability, the potency of my voice. Taking a step forward, I locked eyes with the man in the middle, projecting every ounce of authority I felt.

“Stand aside,” I commanded, my voice unwavering.

To my amazement, and perhaps even to theirs, they hesitated. And in that crucial moment of doubt, Nathan and I charged. While they were skilled fighters, they were no match for the two of us combined, especially not with the power I now wielded.

With the last of them down, I felt an overwhelming sense of urgency. We were so close. The villa was just ahead, its familiar silhouette offering a beacon of hope. I could almost hear the soft giggles of my children, feel the warmth of their hugs. We just had to get there.

“Come on,” Nathan said, his voice gentle, pulling me from my reverie.

With one last burst of speed, we covered the distance. The villa, our safe haven, finally came into view. We had made it.

Nathan and I rounded the final bend that led to our villa, our feet pounding the gravel path with urgency.

But our hearts sank as we spotted several of Ryan’s men lingering outside the house. The ornate wooden door hung off its hinges, suggesting a forced entry, and the once pristine front garden now bore the scars of a scuffle.

I felt Nathan’s grip tighten around my hand. “We need to handle them, but let’s try not to draw too much attention. We don’t know how many more are inside.”

Taking a deep breath and summoning my inner wolf, I tried to use my command ability. “Leave this place!” I demanded, my voice echoing with the weight of authority.

But the strength behind it was waning. My wolf was tired, whispering to me that I had drawn too much from her and that we needed time to recharge.

A few of Ryan’s men hesitated for a split second, casting confused glances among themselves, but they didn’t flee. They had become resistant or my power had weakened, perhaps both.

“We need another plan,” Nathan hissed, preparing to face the imminent threat head-on.

Without warning, one of Ryan’s men lunged at us. Nathan met him halfway, tackling him to the ground. I locked eyes with another, and with a swift kick, sent him reeling.

The villa’s grounds turned into a battlefield. Punches were thrown, grunts filled the air, and the scent of aggression hung heavily. Despite the odds, Nathan and I held our own, using our combined strengths and the connection between us to communicate silently, anticipating each other’s moves.

Another one of Ryan’s men lunged at me, but before he could reach me, I unleashed a deafening growl, causing him to falter.

Seizing the opportunity, I knocked him out. But as the skirmish continued, my body grew weary, the repeated use of my abilities taking its toll.

Noticing my waning strength, Nathan took the lead, drawing their attention towards him, allowing me a moment’s respite. When one of Ryan’s men managed to pin him down, I saw red. Tapping into the last reserves of my energy, I forced myself to stand tall.

“Enough!” My voice, though shaky, was filled with a desperate authority. “Go, before I make you regret every second you spent here.”

The weight of my gaze, combined with the echo of my earlier command, finally had its intended effect. The remaining men fled, their footsteps fading into the distance.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Nathan offered me a weak smile. “We make quite the team.”

Nodding, we turned our attention to the house. Inside, the villa that once symbolized safety and warmth was now a site of devastation. Vases shattered, paintings torn from walls, and furniture overturned. The heart-wrenching scene mirrored the chaos in my heart.

It wasn’t until we reached the main living room that the full magnitude of the night’s events hit us. Clint, bound to a chair with coarse ropes, his face swollen and bruised, was slumped forward, unconscious. It seemed as though this was a scene of a brutal interrogation.

His once vibrant eyes, now shut tight, were hidden beneath purple contusions. I felt a sharp sting in my heart.

“No…” I murmured, rushing to his side, my fingers gingerly touching the bruised skin of his face.

Nathan was at my side in an instant, trying to find a pulse. After what felt like hours, he nodded, a silent affirmation that Clint was still with us.

But as much as I cared for Clint, this wasn’t the most pressing matter at the moment. I stood, looking around frantically. “Where are the twins?” I murmured.