P.s. One Pup is the sequel of One Omega. Best to read that first before this.

Quiet.

Stealthy.

I knew I couldn't mess this up. The lights were still off and once again; the Owner was passed out drunk. But still. I needed to be quiet. My paws moved without a sound as I went to the furthest part of the artificial cave, ears pricked for any sound.

The humans couldn't see here. But I could. I had noticed how there had been a lot of people going in my den after locking me up. Lots of loud noises would sound as they spoke about a crack in the wall. A burst pipe weakening its condition. How they would need to build reinforcements.

How stupid of them to think I didn't understand them.

My claws scraped over the wall, giving off an unpleasant sensation at the sensitive nerves and I froze as I heard a staggered inhale.

Quietly. Need to be quiet.

I was all alone in this gilded cage. My earliest memories were of harsh cold sticking to my body until soothing warmth had enveloped me. Wriggling bodies, squirming over and under me, annoyed yelps...

And the scent of home. Of love, brotherhood...family.

The coldness of the dark, how the bundle of warmth beside me disappeared when a cool hand picked me up. And then I was locked away, moved from cage to cage, collared, muzzled.

My mind cleared as I shook my head before starting to claw at the wall in earnest. I knew it was the outer wall, closest to the vast outside I had seen through the windows.

I also knew my Owner was going to sell me off, being bored after finally getting me as a present for his wife. Many people had bought me, sold me and passed me on; Collectors, the Rich Upper-class, the underground market trying to sell me as a pet.

They had it easy when I was still a pup. People were good to me back then, they fed me, hugged and treated me kindly. But that was only for a few months; as soon as I grew too big, I was scolded, slapped and then sold to the highest bidder.

People who were certain they could train me, break me in. men pitting me against dogs until I was taken away by men in blue. The same uniformed men that sold me in the cover of the night to some rich man looking for exotic animals to add to his collection.

Someone who wanted a pet, to brag and boast about having a wolf as a companion. How they managed to concur a wild beast and make it do their bidding.

But I knew in my heart I wasn't some lapdog to heel at its master's commands. Even with the shock collar around my throat, I would risk another escape.

I wanted to find a family. A place where I belonged.

Slowly the wall started to crumble and little by little, I scraped through the outer layer and felt my nails poke through to the other end. Sticking my muzzle in the hole, I inhaled deeply and felt my eyes roll back at the fresh air that greeted me.

Freedom.

My paws picked up the speed, growing agitated and careless. Feint red stripes appeared each time I clawed and my paws stung sharply but I continued. The hole was almost big enough to slip my head through.

Adding a few more scrapes, my heart was pounding in my chest, the being in my mind going in a frenzy as I fell on my side and clawed like crazy. Just a little bit more.... I... need....out....NOW!

My heart froze as the door opened, the Owner's annoying wife spotting me, my muzzle and paws colored with dust before she let out a screech and woke up the man.

Instantly I vaulted for the hole, hearing the man curse out loud and wood sliding over wood. My shoulders squirmed past the jagged rock that dug into my skin and scraped over my back. Clawing at the dirt outside, my hips followed soon enough before I dashed away.

I couldn't enjoy the fresh air of the night, couldn't stand and watch the full moon or the fireflies swirling above the lawn. My eyes were focused solely on the forest ahead, peeking over the walls, and on the low beep at my throat when the collar was activated.

A few seconds passed after that slight beep before my body was filled with painful spasms. My paws slipped out from under me as I yelped and crashed against the floor, feeling the current rush through my body in painful waves.

NO! I need to move! NOW!

Fighting against the way the collar made my legs jerk uncontrollably and how I wanted to roll over and whimper, curl in a ball until the master saw fit of stopping the collar from shocking me, I couldn't.

I could hear voices, could hear the low pitched soundwaves of the device in his hands. Could almost smell the sadistic glee as he held the button longer than necessary. But as soon as his fat thumb slipped off, I was bolting.

He cursed and pressed the button again but I was prepared this time, biting on my tongue to muffle the whine of pain. My body spasmed as a harsher wave flooded the collar, an audible crackle going through the air.

What is this odd scent?

Next thing I knew, I was lying on the floors, legs jerking and moving on their own accord until my body grew limp. My eyes closed to deal with the pain, panting heavily as I heard the fat man chuckle.

"For a second, I thought he would actually make it. Maybe I should just put him down, make a rug out of him. Go fetch him Leroy. Take him to the vet to make sure its still breathing."

A few moments later I felt cool yet gentle hands on my body, a finger drawing my eye open before dropping it shut. "Shit, I think it fainted sir." His fingers twisted around the collar before I felt it slide off.

YES!

Before he could react, I jumped on my paws and bolted. His startled yell accompanied with the loud angry cursing of my previous owner followed as I soared through the air, jumping up against the wall, claws scrambling.

It was too high for jumping over it but my paws were already carrying me towards one of the master's expensive cars parked conveniently close near the gates. Without any remorse, I jumped on the hood, claws digging through the paint before I vaulted over the edge of the fencing.

The iron scraped my belly but I ignored the stinging sensation as I dashed for the woods. I was free! My paws rushed over the harsh and hot road that stung against my pads before making contact with the crispy leaves on the forest floor.

I kept running until the moon was sinking and the sun started to greet the world. My chest was nearly shivering as I panted rapidly, dropping down on the floor. For a moment all I could do was pant, gulping at the air and feeling saliva pool down my throat.

My nose twitched as I scented stale water and moved towards the source before flopping in the small creek. The cool water rushed over my fur as I eagerly lapped at it, choking a few times before I managed to calm down enough.

Lifting my head from my soaking paws, I could feel the water drip from my chin and throat as I glanced around the forest. Birds were chirping their morning chant, a few squirrels made my ears perk as a silent need to chase them burned in my chest.

However, the entity inside kept quiet. It usually accompanied me, spoke softly and reassuringly but not it was...quiet.

I guess it liked to be free as well.

Glancing down at my paws, I started lapping at the bleeding claws and the swollen pads, whimpering as they burned with each lap. My throat ached considerably, making me realize that my collar had done more damage than I'd think.

Taking a few more moments to relax, I slowly pushed myself on shaking paws and continued to walk. I didn't want to be anywhere near humans, ever again.

They only brought along pain, destruction and despair. I've had enough of them, enough of how they treated me.

Now I was finally free and once I was sure I had put enough distance between me and the humans, I would live my life from day to day. Already I could sense life would be better after this.

I would need to learn how to hunt for my food and survive but I was happy. My tail twitched into a slow wag as I headed down the slopes and deeper into the forest. Twigs and leaves brushed against my fur, snatching on the messy strands from time to time but I ignored it.

Birds shot into the air, startled by my joyful howl bouncing of the trees. My claws dug in deeper until I was all out running, following my nose to wherever it would take me. All I knew was that I was going to live my life to the fullest.

Live day by day.

Enjoy every moment.

And don't trust anyone.