I'm awoken by my nightmares, nightmares of what happened and of who is pursuing me, leaving me a panting mess. Standing up shakily, I manage to maneuver myself out from under the tree. My entire body aches and I can no longer imagine what being warm must feel like as I'm still soaked from the rain. My heart aches to be home, to be with my family. I start off at a brisk pace, leaving my temporary home behind, I can already feel that today will be a struggle with already waning energy.

I've been running for roughly two hours, although there is no way for me to truly tell besides by where the shadows fall in the forest. The woods are quiet, almost eerily, all that I hear is my breathing and the crunch of leaves beneath my paws. I keep my thoughts focused, I don't let them stray. Then, I hear a howl that breaks the silence I had come accustomed to.

Chills roll through my body and no matter how level-minded I try to stay my thoughts become frantic and desperate. Had I gone through so much just to die now? Was it even worth it to continue or should I just accept my fate? I mentally shake myself, of course my life is worth it and I would continue to live for another day if I had anything to say about it. I pick up my pace and the trees blur around me, I can hear the pounding of paws behind me as they near. There's no way. I'm too tired to outrun them but in an outnumbered fight it's impossible for me to win.

I continue to run and risk a glance back and now I'm able to see the wolves, there's three of them and their eyes are all trained on my form. Turning around, I try to increase my speed but they close in too quickly and now their menacing growls can be heard loud and clear. My fatigue is too much and I know I've lost when I feel sharp teeth come in contact with my hind leg causing me to let out a pained whine. I manage to pull away but the wolves have formed a circle around me, leering at me, clearly showing me that there's no possible way for me to escape.

When my pursuers get close I snarl snapping my teeth at them, they're toying with me enjoying my vulnerability. Unfortunately, the wound to my leg is deep and I can feel my grip on my wolf slipping as I lose more blood. If I shift, I'm defenseless and therefore dead. I make one last attempt and manage to bolt between the wolves, running on pure adrenaline and praying that it will be enough for a safe escape. That's too much to ask for and soon the wolves are on me, their teeth are unforgiving as they're done playing with me and just want to end this.

With only my will to survive, I fight viciously. But with three opponents, I'm hopelessly outnumbered. I'm pinned on the forest floor when I hear a loud growl rip through the area as a group of wolves join the fray. This moment of distraction is an advantage and I'm able to rip out the throat of the wolf towering over me.

The woods are filled with only the sounds of snarling wolves as they fight, the coppery scent of blood fills the air. I'm too weak and I feel my wolf slip away completely, losing control of her I forcibly shift unable to prevent the cry of pain that leaves my throat. Lying naked on the damp forest ground I force myself to move, I can only attempt to crawl away from the violence as I'm unable to walk.

My progress is slow and soon the fighting comes to an end, the three wolves who were pursuing me now lie dead. Some of the wolves tend to each other others injuries, licking them and comforting their packmates. Two shift back to their human forms, they're two large men that radiate dominance. Realizing it must be the Alpha and Beta of the pack and in no shape to defend myself I cower trying to cover myself to at least regain a semblance of modesty. My mind runs through panicked thoughts as there is no doubt I am seen as a threat to this pack, I'm an unknown wolf, they're just going to kill me.

The larger male crouches down and I can see that his mouth is moving yet I hear nothing, my mind seems fuzzy and I'm unsure of what to do. 

When he moves closer I skitter backwards with what little strength I have, I shake my head and plead to him "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to come onto your territory. I didn't mean to drag you and your pack into my own issue." 

The two men look at each other and I can see them talking but I'm so tired, I just want to sleep, my vision is fading and moments later I succumb and lose consciousness.

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Thank you for reading! A little bit longer, I decided to give y'all a smidgen more to get a better idea of where this book is going. Once again, comments and constructive criticism is welcome!

xx.