Page 56 of An Ancient Power's Revenge

"Do you know what this is, Sheriff?" Ryan asked, his voice dripping with malice.

I remained silent, my mind racing with fear and uncertainty. I had no answers, no means of stopping the nightmare that was unfolding before me.

And then, with a sudden surge of movement, the Nogitsune charged forward, its grotesque form bearing down on me with terrifying speed. I braced myself for the inevitable impact, my heart pounding in my chest as I prepared to face whatever fate awaited me.

Then it stopped…… right in front of me.

Chapter 31 - Stay Away From Us

Ana

The engine of my car hummed softly as I pulled up to the entrance of the werewolf pack's territory, the tension in the air palpable even from a distance. I knew they weren't going to welcome me with open arms, but I had to try. We needed all the help we could get.

Stepping out of the car, I squared my shoulders and approached the group of werewolves that had gathered at the entrance. Their eyes bore into me with a mixture of suspicion and hostility, and I braced myself for what was to come.

"Excuse me," I called out, my voice steady despite the unease that churned in the pit of my stomach. "I'm looking for Beta Oberyn. Is he around?"

Silence greeted my question, the werewolves exchanging wary glances amongst themselves. I felt frustration bubbling up inside me, but I pushed it aside, determined to get answers.

"Look," I said, my tone firm. "I know you're not exactly thrilled to see me, but this isn't about personal grudges. We're facing a serious threat, and we need to work together to stop it."

One of the werewolves, a woman with fierce eyes and a hardened expression, stepped forward, her gaze piercing. "And what threat would that be?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "Beta Oberyn has allied himself with dangerous individuals," I explained, my words measured. "They're planning to unleash a creature capable of wiping out all of us."

A murmur rippled through the crowd, disbelief and anger flashing across their faces. But before anyone could respond, the woman who had spoken before stepped forward, her expression cold and unyielding.

"We will face whatever's coming to us, we will not be scared" she spat, her words laced with bitterness. "Maybe it's time someone put an end to all of this."

“Stay away from us; we mean it.” She added, and I scoffed.

I felt a surge of anger coursing through me at her callous words, but I knew arguing with her would be pointless. With a frustrated sigh, I turned on my heel and began to walk away, the weight of defeat heavy on my shoulders.

As I climbed back into my car and drove away, the words of the werewolf woman echoed in my mind, a painful reminder of the divisions that threatened to tear us apart. But despite the setbacks, I refused to give up hope. We may be facing an uphill battle, but as long as there were still those willing to fight, there was still a chance for us to come out on top.

***

Alexei

Taking control as the Mayor, I called the rest of the Sheriff’s Deputies, urgency ringing in my voice as I relayed the message. "We need to find Evelyn and Ryan," I told them, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Evelyn is in danger, and Ryan is a suspect. We need to act fast."

Without hesitation, the team sprang into action, dispersing to search every corner of Harmony Grove. I watched them go, a knot of worry tightening in my chest. Evelyn was out there somewhere, vulnerable and alone, and I couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that washed over me.

As I paced back and forth in the Sheriff's Department, my mind raced with a million possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to Evelyn.

Just then, my phone rang, and I quickly answered, hoping for some good news. It was Ana, her voice tense and strained as she recounted her encounter with the werewolves.

"They weren't listening to me," she said, frustration evident in her tone. "And I don't think Beta Oberyn was there either. Something's not right, Alexei. We need to find them before it's too late."

I felt a surge of anxiety coursing through me at her words, a sickening sense of dread settling in the pit of my stomach. Beta Oberyn’s involvement in whatever was happening put Evelyn in even greater danger.

"Stay calm, Ana," I said, trying to sound reassuring even as my own nerves threatened to unravel. "We'll find them. Just keep me updated on your whereabouts, and we'll figure this out together."

With a heavy heart, I ended the call and turned my attention back to the task at hand. There was no time to waste. Evelyn's life was on the line, and I would do whatever it took to bring her back safely.

Gathering my resolve, I headed out into the streets of Harmony Grove, my senses heightened as I searched for any sign of my missing fiancée. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every alleyway a potential hiding place for danger.

But despite the mounting tension and the fear that gnawed at the edges of my mind, I refused to give up hope. Evelyn was strong, stronger than anyone I knew, and I had to believe that she would find a way to survive this ordeal.

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