BOUND BY FATE DRIVEN BY VENGEANCE

CHAPTER ONE

*Sophia's POV*

I tore through the dense woods, my legs slamming against the ground, heart pounding as if my life depended on it-because it did. Somewhere behind me, a howl sliced through the silence, echoing through the trees, then... nothing. I strained to hear any movement, any sign of what might be following me, but only an eerie, unnatural silence lingered in the air.

My sprint slowed, my body hesitating, senses on high alert as I scanned my surroundings. Then, a flicker-a blur-whisked past the corner of my eye. I whipped around, but whatever it was had vanished, leaving only the unsettling notion that I might be seeing things.

Swallowing hard, I took a step back, nervously twisting in every direction. A low, menacing growl rumbled behind me, and a cold wave of dread washed over me. I turned, heart racing, and found myself face-to-face with a wolf. Its piercing green eyes glared at me, hunger gleaming in its stare. My fingers fumbled in my bag for the pepper spray, hands trembling so violently that it nearly slipped from my grasp.

The wolf lunged before I could react, and in my desperation, I tore off the cap and sprayed wildly. My heart thundered as I shouted, "Stay back, and I won't hurt you!" My words seemed to amuse it. The wolf dodged the spray, pouncing at me with terrifying speed, and in seconds, I was on the ground, pinned, the spray rolling out of my reach.

Its heavy paws pressed down, crushing me, and I felt my false bravado evaporate. Just as its teeth closed in, another wolf launched into it, snarling, and knocked it off me. I scrambled to my feet, lungs burning as I sprinted away, but I barely made it far when another powerful force tackled me from behind, slamming me against a tree. My vision blurred.

The second wolf approached slowly, its gaze fixed on me. I thought it had saved me-until it struck, sinking its fangs deep into my shoulder. Agony flared through my body, then darkness swallowed me whole.

__________

Distant voices murmured in the haze of my mind, faint but growing clearer as I floated toward consciousness. I recognized one voice among them, grounding and familiar.

"Sophia... Sophia! Can you hear me?"

I forced my eyes open, blinking against the light. Aunt Evelyn's face came into focus, worry etched into her features as she hovered beside me. My head throbbed painfully.

"Auntie... what happened?" My voice sounded strained and hoarse. "Why are you so worried?"

Evelyn ran a hand through her tangled hair, her eyes wide and frantic. "What happened?" she echoed, her voice rising. "I came home and found you collapsed by the door, unconscious! Do you realize how terrified I was?"

A pang of guilt shot through me. "I... I don't remember much."

"That's no excuse!" she scolded, rubbing her forehead in frustration. "If I hadn't found you in time and gotten you medical help... God knows what might've happened."

"I'm sorry," I murmured, reaching out to grasp her hand. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just..." I stopped, the memory of the wolf's attack flashing through my mind. I shuddered, the fear still raw. "I promise I won't go back into the woods."

Her eyes widened. "You were in the woods?" Her tone sharpened. "How many times have I told you it's too dangerous? Anything could've happened!"

"I know, Auntie. I'm fine now. I won't go back there," I whispered, hoping to reassure her.

Evelyn softened, yet her gaze remained skeptical. "Are you sure you're alright, Sophia? You seem... tense."