The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 17

When Natalia found herself comered, with her back against a massive oak tree, she froze. Before she could even react, a wolf lunged menacingly at her Natalia mustered all her remaining strength to dodge the beast, using the tree as a shield. She could feel her legs trembling, drained of all energy. But the wolf missed, turned around, and lunged again Its sharp claws grazed Natalia’s shoulder A chunk of Natalia’s clothes was torn away instantly, and bright red blood oozed from the wound

Natalia, gritting her teeth against the intense pain, instinctively backed away, tripping over a rope in the process

The smell of blood excited the wolf even more, and it lunged at Natalia time after time Each time, Natalia barely managed to evade its attacks. using up all he remaining strength. After a few attempts, the wolf continued its relentless pursuit

Natalia was now injured, terrified, and utterly exhausted. Her entire body felt as if it was on fire from the places where the wolf had scratched her She slumped against the tree root, helplessly. As the wolf lunged yet again, Natalia closed her eyes, resigned to her fate She didn’t have the strength to fight against a ferocious woll any longer. If death could end it all, she was ready

“Perth!” A sudden roar echoed.

The wolf, poised to attack Natalia, turned its head sharply at the sound. A man dressed in black appeared from the shadows. The wolf immediately went over to him, rubbing against his legs. “Go back Stop scaring her!”

Natalia struggled to open her eyes, seeing only a dark figure slowly approaching her. He bent over, picked her up, and she sank into unconsciousness, her head lolling to the side.

Minutes ago, the alarm in the basement of the villa had sounded. Linden had rushed to check, only to find Natalia had run off into the forest where Perth was kept.

Stunned, he quickly informed Magnus.

Before Linden could even finish his sentence, Magnus had disappeared from his wheelchair. Linden hurriedly grabbed a mask and followed.

Natalia and Perth were engaged in their deadly dance. If he had been even a moment later Natalia

venture here, and if not for his precautionary ropes, who

carried Natalia, bloodied, and injured, back to the villa and immediately called for the family doctor Natalia’s clothes were tom and shredded by the wolf, revealing her wounded skin. Her blood dripped onto the sheets, draining the color from

unexpectedly felt a pang of sympathy. He scoffed at himself, reminding himself that this girl was Lucius‘ woman. Why should he care for her? Had

as he watched the sheets turn red with her

“Sir, Ma’am has suffered superficial wounds. She fainted due to shock. I’ve treated her wounds and given her an antidote. Perth, after all, is a

brow furrowed in concern. After the doctor left, he sat in his wheelchair and left

room

injury, developed a high fever in the middle of

clothes

window, smoking, and looking out at the dark night, feeling uneasy. He turned and walked into Natalia’s room. Under the faint light,

she cold? It was April, not exactly a

was scorching hot

her body ached tembly. “So cold so painful Daddy, Natalia murmured, feeling

he froze. Why was he so

for the family doctor when a smaller, feverishly hot hand

this world, it was

by the bed. As Natalia rolled into his arms,

against his chest. Magnus stiffened, and his mind

cold, so painful,” Natalia mumbled, clutching at his

covers and turning on the heat. But she clung to him like a koala,