Fated to the Mafia Don

Isabella's POV

“The head of the Wolfhart Family, Mr. Hawthorne, has tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of his sudden death.”

“In the aftermath of this unexpected loss, his heir is set to take the reins of the family's vast multinational corporations, including…”

I finally switched off the TV. My approaching eighteenth birthday consumed most of my thoughts, leaving me with little concern for the death of the wealthiest and most powerful man on the continent.

Soon, the doorbell rang, and I sprang up from the couch, rushing across the living room to welcome my guests.

“Auntie!” I cried as the door swung open.

My aunt grinned at me warmly, while my twin cousins flashed their sweetest smiles.

“Advance Happy Birthday, Isabella!” Aunt Eva exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.

It was only then that I noticed the man standing next to her, cradling little Timmy in his arms.

Our eyes locked, and I slowly turned to my aunt.

She just chuckled, handing the drowsy Lily over to me. "It's a long story, dear," she said shyly. "May we come in?"

I was momentarily at a loss for words, then burst into laughter before replying, "Of course!"

Later, I was introduced to Mr. Wilhelm, my aunt’s new boyfriend. We exchanged casual greetings, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“So,” I began, locking my hazel eyes on Wilhelm’s. “Did you meet at work?”

He nodded slowly. “Yes.”

My eyes narrowed. “And what exactly do you do there?”

“Well, I’m the family's butler,” he replied. Then, casting a loving glance at Eva, he added, “I’m trained to fight to the death, but I never thought a beautiful maid would defeat me.”

I smirked quietly to myself.

Eva's husband had passed away in a car accident just six months ago, leaving her alone with the twins, who never knew their great father. I, too, had no memory of my own parents. I was too young to remember even their faces.

“So, how was your day with the twins?” I asked Aunt Eva as we sat around the dinner table.

“It was perfect,” she replied, feeding Timmy on her left while cleaning food from Lily’s lips on her right. “And I just realized… I’m sorry, Isabella, for taking up so much of your time with them.”

“This is nothing,” I said, taking a bite. “I owe you my life, Aunt Eva.”

Without her, I knew I wouldn't be alive today.

She had taken on the role of a mother, so I comforted her, saying, “Lily and Timmy are like siblings to me. It’s my responsibility to love and look after them.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, taking my hand. “You should’ve come with us.”

I shook my head, fighting to keep the warm tears at bay. “This isn’t the time to be sad,” I said firmly. “It’s my birthday, after all...”

As the clock struck twelve, our intimate celebration began in the cozy Sinclair family home, and I couldn’t have wished for anything more. Being surrounded by my loved ones was my ultimate dream, and I felt incredibly fortunate to have it.

I held back a laugh as I watched Aunt Eva and Wilhelm dance closely to the soft hum of the radio. Lily was fast asleep beside me, while Timmy, wide awake, cooed softly in my lap.

Outside, the full moon shone brightly, and although I felt dazed from the wine Wilhelm had brought, I still caught sight of a swift shadow moving near the open window.

I squinted. “What the hell is that?”

I thought it was just a bird gliding across the sky. After all, it was too late for anyone to be out walking or driving by. We lived in the countryside, far from the noisy city, surrounded only by towering trees.

Then, a deep howl rumbled out of nowhere.

A chill of dread settled in my chest as a cold gust of wind brushed my cheeks. I glanced at Aunt Eva and Wilhelm, but they were wrapped in each other's arms with their eyes closed.

“I must be drunk,” I muttered, chuckling at myself.

But when I carefully glanced back at the window, I froze, staring into a pair of glowing eyes watching me.

It was too late to scream as a large figure stepped out of the darkness, broke the glass, and lunged at me with sharp fangs.

I barely dodged the attack, hitting the wooden floor with a loud thud. I held Timmy tightly as Aunt Eva’s scream echoed around.

Timmy started crying as I tried to calm myself. Lily was still safe on the couch. Wilhelm watched quietly, while Eva stood frozen.

Before anyone could react, the furry wolf lunged at me with its slimy mouth.

It almost tore me apart. But Wilhelm collided with the wolf, hurling it across the room until it slammed into the wall, leaving a crack.

“Eva,” Wilhelm said calmly. “Let me handle this.” His face showed no fear as he stared at the recovering beast.

Eva blinked and crawled to Lily. Once she had the child in her arms, she called out, “Isabella!”

With shaky legs, I stood and ran to Eva. Behind me, I heard the tearing of clothes, the sickening crack of bones, and then the roar of a powerful beast.

When I glanced back, I saw a larger wolf. Before I could fully process the sight, Eva grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward the exit.

I was too stunned to resist, allowing myself to be led outside. I inhaled the last cool breath of spring as we approached the waiting car. But then, I pulled my wrist free.

Eva glanced back. “You have to go!” she insisted.

“What’s happening?” I asked. “What are those damn animals? And Wilhelm...”

Gasping for breath, I glanced back at our small home, now engulfed in roars, shattering glass, and splintering wood.

Eva paused for a moment before she whispered, “Werewolves…”

My throat tightened. “What?!”

Before I could ask more, Eva was already pulling me forward. “We can’t waste any more time…”

“But Auntie, Wilhelm is in trouble.”

She fixed her gaze on me. “We’re not in danger. You are!”

"W-what do you mean?"

Her voice trembled as she replied, "They can smell you now. I should’ve seen this coming. I’m very sorry, Isabella..."

She opened the car door and shoved me into the driver's seat. "Head to Crescent Manor," she urged. "You'll be safe there."

She reached for Timmy, but I pulled him closer, holding him tighter.

The realization hit me. "You're not coming with me, are you?"

Eva turned her gaze away. "We can't."

"Why..." My voice was barely a whisper.

Before she could answer, the two wolves appeared from the house, tumbling over the grass, wrestling fiercely as blood and mud stained their fur.

“You have to go now!” Eva shouted, reaching for Timmy. "More are coming. Just head south—”

“No!” I shook my head. “I’d rather die than leave you.”

“Listen to me, Isabella!” Eva said urgently, leaning closer. “They’re hunting you. Crescent Manor is the only place where you’ll be safe. They won’t dare follow you there. I know they’ll protect you, Isabella.”

“If it’s safe there, why can’t you come with me?” I asked. “What about the twins?”

Eva sighed deeply. “You have to go there alone…”

I gasped. “What?”

"One day, you'll understand, Isabella," she said gently. "But for now, you must go south. The path will lead you to where you're meant to be. Just say my name, and they’ll let you pass."

A heavy silence lingered between us.

Warm tears flowed down my cheeks as I whispered, “Then, promise me…” Eva listened intently. “Promise me you’ll be safe. Promise we’ll meet again.”

She nodded resolutely, holding the twins close. “I promise…”

***

I had no idea how far I had driven or how long I had been crying. It felt as though all the tears had already dried from my eyes.

My arms grew heavy as I aimlessly gripped the steering wheel.

It was almost dawn, the sun just beginning to rise. I wanted to turn back, to save them, but something I couldn’t explain pulled me forward. Unable to understand it, I let the car keep going.

Eventually, I came upon vast fields stretching endlessly ahead, with a grand gate looming in the distance.

But just as I neared it, the windshield shattered, sending shards of glass cutting into my cheeks.

A sudden, sharp throb exploded in my chest.

I had been shot.

My breath grew shallow, and my hold on the car slipped. I reached for the steering wheel, but it was already too late. The car veered off course and flipped over. Everything around me blurred as debris crashed against me from all sides.

The roof buckled just inches above my head as the car skidded to a stop. Summoning the last of my strength, I unfastened my seatbelt and dragged myself out through the shattered window.

My hand trembled as I touched the ground, silently begging for someone to help me.

I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.

My vision swam until a dark figure took shape before me.

There was a long silence before the figure spoke coldly, “Intruder…”

The last thing I heard was the sharp clink of a weapon before everything went black.