Page 34 of Taken By the Wolf Daddy

I watched, wide-eyed and frozen, as Jesse fought with all his strength and determination. The struggle was fierce, but Jesse’s sheer determination and the weight of the Pack’s survival behind him proved to be too much for Ophelia. With a final, desperate effort, Jesse overcame Ophelia, ending her threat once and for all. The battle was over, and silence settled over the mountainside, broken only by the heavy panting of the victorious wolf.

Relief washed over me as I realized that Jesse had prevailed, and I let out a shaky breath. Tears welled in my eyes as I watched him, battered but victorious, stand over the motionless form of Ophelia. It was a hard-fought victory, but it had come at a great cost. He was probably sad that it had come to this, but that was likely the only way out.

Jesse had risked everything to protect me, and I knew I could never repay him for the bravery and sacrifice he had shown. As he finally spotted me in the car, not too far away, with eyes filled with both exhaustion and relief, I whispered a heartfelt thank you to the heavens above, grateful that we had survived this harrowing ordeal together.

With the battle behind us and the threat of Ophelia finally vanquished, a profound sense of relief washed over me. The tension that had gripped me for what felt like an eternity began to ease, replaced by a mixture of emotions that left me feeling both sad and resolute. I let the shotgun fall from my hands, grateful I didn’t have to use it.

Jesse, battered and bruised from his intense struggle with Ophelia, approached me. His eyes, weary but filled with an undeniable sense of victory, met mine. Without a word, he waited until I slipped out of the Range Rover, and he wrapped his arms around me, drawing me into a warm and comforting embrace.

At that moment, the weight of our shared ordeal seemed to lift, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief. I clung to Jesse, feeling the reassuring beat of his heart against my chest, a reminder that we had faced the darkness together and emerged victorious.

Tears welled in my eyes, but they were tears of gratitude and admiration for the man who had risked everything to protect me. I whispered my thanks into his ear, knowing that mere words could never fully convey the depth of my feelings.

As we held each other in that quiet embrace, I knew our bond had grown stronger, forged in the crucible of danger and uncertainty. Our love and trust had withstood the ultimate test, and I was filled with a renewed sense of hope for our future together.

“Your father is worried about you,” Jesse murmured to me. “And upset that you argued before you left.”

With that, I knew there were still important matters to attend to. With a heavy heart, I reached for my phone and dialed my father’s number.

As the phone rang, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anxiety. I knew this conversation would be difficult, but it was necessary to update my father on the events that had transpired. Finally, he answered, his voice tense and concerned.

“Marie, are you okay? What happened?” My father’s worry was palpable through the phone. I could see exactly what Jesse was talking about. I laced my fingers through his as I talked.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Dad, I’m safe now. Jesse and his pack came to the rescue. Ophelia… She’s gone.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear my father processing the information. “Gone? What do you mean?”

“She had to be killed.” I turned away from Ophelia’s body because I really didn’t want to see that. “She wouldn’t stop murdering. She wouldn’t stop causing trouble, but she’s gone now, and I’m okay. I will be home soon.”

“Thank you for letting me know, Marie. I’m glad you’re safe,” my father finally said, his voice softening. “Are you coming now?”

“Soon,” I replied. “When we’re finished up here.”

My father sighed, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “I’ll call the Patron right away and let him know. Thank you for handling this, Marie. I love you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I replied, “I love you, too, Dad.” It was a reassurance that we both needed in that moment, a reminder of the unbreakable bond between us.

With the calls made and the necessary information shared, I felt a sense of closure settling over me. The ordeal was over, and while the scars would remain, I knew we would move forward, stronger and more united than ever before.

“Shall we get out of here?” Jesse asked me curiously. “Do you want to come back to mine for a little bit? Just to decompress?”

I nodded eagerly. “Sure, I will just let my father know we’ve been delayed.”

As Jesse and I walked away from everything, hand in hand, a sense of relief washed over me. The night had been a terrifying ordeal, filled with danger and uncertainty, but we had made it through together. The moon cast a soft glow on the path ahead, illuminating our way as we left the dark woods behind.

I couldn’t help but steal glances at Jesse, his strong and reassuring presence beside me. Our fingers were intertwined, and I felt a profound connection with him, one that had only grown stronger in the face of adversity. There was still so much we needed to discuss, so many challenges to overcome, but in that moment, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful.

I didn’t know what the future held for us, but I knew that we would face it together. As we walked hand in hand, the cool night air rustling through the trees, I couldn’t help but believe that our love had the power to conquer any obstacle that lay ahead.

After the tumultuous events of the day, it was a relief to be back at Jesse’s home. The quietude that enveloped the house was a welcome contrast to the chaos that had unfolded in the forest. With Belle tucked into bed, safe and sound, and Mary gone home, we finally had a moment to catch our breath.

As Jesse and I settled into the living room, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for his presence. He had risked everything to rescue me from Ophelia’s clutches, and his unwavering support had been my anchor throughout the ordeal.

Jesse must have sensed my thoughts because he turned to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and concern. “Marie, are you okay?” he asked softly.

I nodded, offering a small, weary smile. “I’m better now, thanks to you.”

He reached out and gently took my hand, his touch reassuring and warm. “I’m just glad you’re safe,” he replied, his voice filled with sincerity.

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