I run through the snow as fast as I can. My breath coming out as bursts of fog. I could feel myself tiring out, jumping and running for a solid hour in these frozen woods was beginning to take it's toll.
There are times when I enjoyed the frozen woods and mountains of Tengan, my home. The snow falling and sticking to the trees in some areas, and the sun shining on other parts. It was like a dream. But during the trials, they were a nightmare. During these trials I crave for nothing more than my warm bed and the sun on my face.

All of a sudden a howl pierces through the frigid air. Someone was down, A spike of dread goes through me. That howl was too close for comfort, I couldn't fail, not again. The scent of my own fear was so strong that it had to be forming a trail leading right to me.

More howls came shortly  after, they were right behind me, following me. I could smell the scent of my own fear in the frigid air. The pungent smell was so strong, that I felt ashamed. It wasn't just failure I was scared off. I knew I was leaving a trail when I heard the howling and growling of wolves in the near distance. The thought that they had me on the run and afraid, spiked their bloodlust even more.

I push myself to run even faster, if I could just reach the marker, then I would be safe, out of the challengers territory and into the safe zone.

I refuse to get caught, I refuse.
A lot was riding on me getting through this.

With a final burst of strength I push myself forward. There are about 400 yards between me and the safe zone. There's a squad of enforces about 200 yards behind me, the only chance I have of finishing this safe and sound, is with speed, I've proved my endurance capabilities, I've gone three days in this form, with almost little to no food, with the water supply dwindling due to the decreasing temperatures, I just have to make the it through the last stretch .

I see a red flag in the distance, the check point! I'm almost there, I can do this!

I'm closing the gap, almost there, almost there.

Suddenly I'm tackled from behind,  whoever attacked me from behind clearly had it out for me, I've taken a hit, a big one 
I think from the back of my shoulders to my sides.It's not deep, thank goodness for that, but In these conditions, it'll only make me weaker. I stumble up quickly.
I would definitely get pinned if I didn't get out of here, I roll quickly to the side, whimpering when I feel the cold snow get into my wounds. The sting of the cold in my wounds, coupled with how tired I was, it was not a good combination.
I brush the snow of my fur, and let out a growl, baring my teeth to my attacker. I was so close, whoever this was made the decision to separate from the pack, this was a solo mission to bring me down. It wasn't going to work though.
I had too much riding on this, I wouldn't , couldn't fail again.

My eyes were stinging from the pain of my injury, I let out an angry growl, trying to make out who this was through blurry eyes. It definitely wasn't a participant, why would they waste precious time on attacking me when they could just cross the finish line. There was no limitations  on who could enter, it was when they could enter.
The only ones who could gain anything by stopping me were enforcers. But I would've been pinned without thought and marked out.
That's what happened the last time.

I  freaked me out that I couldn't get a scent. Maybe it was because of this freaking snow
Calm down, calm down. Panicking will get you know where.
Less than 200 yards to freedom, a warm bed and vindication from my past failures awaited me. I couldn't let just anyone stop me, this was a game of survival after all.

I move a couple of steps back to make a break for it,
" I don't want a fight"  I say
My attacker bares their teeth, a low yet powerful growl coming from it. 
Okay. So maybe my companion wanted one.
" Look buddy, I don't want trouble, let me through or else" I said with a growl. I infused my authority as a Beta to get my point across.
I wouldn't be stopped. I shook my head one more time and bared my teeth.
" Who are you? I don't have time for this" I said angrily. I was very  close to attacking  blindly at this point.
Why wouldn't my stupid vision clear. It also didn't help I could still hear the howls and growls of the approaching enforcers. I was momentarily stunned when a femine voice invaded my thoughts.
" Buenos noches cousin, are you alright? You reek of fear"
That's why I couldn't get a scent. Jenna, little bitch. She was a team leader for the 'enforcers'  their scents were masked to allow them to sneak up on us, totally unfair, but this was a dog eat dog world event, some of us were given privileges and advantages and the others weren't. Just like the real world. I was given none at all, because apparently life had given me the upper hand. A lot was expected of me because of that.

"Jenna, to what do I owe the pleasure. You came out here all alone to make sure I was alright ? I know we're family, but this is too much" I replied

There was a humorless laugh in my head.
" I couldn't just sit by and do nothing"
The veiled meaning was clear, she didn't want me crossing, not because it wouldn't bode well on her record, it was just her personal beef with me, she couldn't let me succeed, she couldn't let me have this.
She was a team leader for the 'enforcers'. In these trials they were tasked with hunting us down.
The narrative was, we were rogues on the run, we had to evade capture. Once we were brought down, we were out. No second chances.
My dearest cousin was an enforcer, she'd been one since she turned seventeen. She got a sick thrill from seeing me fail over and over again in these trials, sabotage, was her reason for wanting to take part in these trials.
Whatever slim chance I had of succes was negated to zero because of her. Jenna.

" I'm touched what I do matters to you so much, but as you can see I'm fine" I said

I began to back away from her, she wasn't attacking...not yet anyway. She'd hurt me me enough to slow me down and that was not even half the damage she could do.
She would no doubt inform her team of my position, if she hadn't  already.
It was getting colder, the sun was setting, the game officially ended when the sun set, those that hadn't crossed into the safe zone would be punished with a week out here. They wouldn't be bothered, but no one would care about their condition either. It also meant a failing grade and if I've learned anything, it's that these people treat coward a whole lot worse than failures. I got a tiny bit of respect for facing my failures or taking on the enforcers. That was the only silver lining for someone like me, but it wasn't a very bright one.

Each enforcer team needed to locate and successfully pin and eliminate 20 of us, each of us so called rogues brought down by them, added a reward under their belt as well as pack praise, they would be seen as potential warriors for the pack in the future. It was why most of them joined in the first place... well most of them.

" What about your back? It looks like it hurt, maybe you should rest for a bit. I won't tell" she said

She gave me a wolfish grin. I was willing to bet she was responsible for talking out more than half of the others out here. Participants like me.
We all had to take part to earn our place in the pack.

" Cousin, you know you're not going anywhere right?" She said again.
She had the audacity to sit back and lie down in the snow, she looked totally unfazed that I was there, that was how little she thought of me.

At this point my vision has cleared a bit, I was Pissed, I wanted to jump her and prove that I was indeed a threat, with an angry growl, I turned away from her. I already knew from experience  that a fight with her  wasn't a battle I could win, plus time was running out.
I turned towards the safe zone and started running, my pace was slower, but as long as nothing else happened I was good.

I turned back to look at her, she was now sitting instead of laying down, she looked like she was waiting for something.

" You have 5 seconds cousin, before I call the calvary " she said.

" 5"

I turned forward and ran, I pushed myself as far as I could go. I knew she meant what she said. If I didn't make it, I would get swarmed, she'd make sure it was humiliating too.

" 4" she continued

" Fuck you jenna" I yelled back at her

She let out an evil laugh

" 3"
God my sides hurt, a hundred and fifty yards and I would be safe, I'd have proved myself, I would have made my point, I could be an enforcer. I wasn't weak, just like she did , prove I wasn't weak, prove I could be respected.

" Fuck you cousin, screw you"

She laughed again, she was toying with me and I knew it.

" 2 and a half"

Nearly there, faster, faster, I need to go faster.

"1"
I could hear the glee in  her voice, I wasn't going to make it.

"0" 

No!
Her howl filled the air, loud and calling. It sent fear right through me, because my chances of making it had gone even lower.
Like a swarm of ants, her team poured through the woods, running straight for the safe zone, for me.

A hundred more yards, I can make it. I could make it. The only other choice I  had was to give up, and I wouldn't do that, I'd come too far to let that happen. 
I let out a howl of my own before charging forward.

I heard her voice in my head again " what was that, a battle cry? Even your howls are pathetic"
She's said hysterical with laughter.

I shut her out and comtinued running, I turned to my side, they were fast, they'd already caught up with me, the were just a few feet behind me now.

" Give up"  she said quietly" you're not going to make it, you're not fast enough"

"Yes I will, yes I am "

" Have it your way then!" 

10 more yards.

Ah!
Someone bit me in my tail, I ran faster, just to get away from whoever that creep was, five yards, 4 yards, I push myself even faster.

3 yards...2 yards. I could make it.

Then suddenly I trip.

No!

This wasn't happening. Please no. Without missing a beat, I'm dragged backwards farther away from the safe zone.
No!
I struggle and fight , but it doesn't help, I'm being pulled back relentlessly. My fear from earlier had set them in a frenzy. I look up to the sky and let out a whimper, the sun still up, but just barely.  I really tried. It just hurt so much because I was nearly there, why did I have to freaking trip.  

I was pinned down and held firmly to the ground. Jenna has shifted back into her human skin, she stood in front of my defeated wolf, bare, with a cruel look on her face.
I wonder how she wasn't freezing right now. I turned away from her.

I couldn't look at her and face my defeat. I was so close.

"You're a disappointment Taylor." She spat at me, before giving  me hard kick to the face, then muttered something about hating her job at times.
That was a lie, she was a cold hearted bitch and she loved every minute of what she did. I hated her, but I hated myself more. I was a failure. Why couldn't I just make it this time?
Those were my last thoughts before I fell unconscious.