The Trial She Faces

Chapter 9

Travelling in the cool night, Evie felt relaxed to be on her own again. Not that she was not sitting by herself on the train - but now she was away from the eyes of the other passengers, and this relaxed her. She no longer felt as though she had to project a front for the benefit of those around her.

She guessed from the amount of time that she had been walking, the sun would be coming up soon and the animals of the woods would start to move around.

At that thought, a loud rumbling erupted from her belly. She had not had the opportunity to have dinner the night before with the flurry of events that had occurred. Plus, she had thrown up the remaining food in her system whilst on the train. No wonder her body was signalling her to seek out breakfast.

After a few seconds of consideration, Evie spotted a tall and strong looking tree. It would be easy enough to relocate it if she left her things there. She extended her claws before jumping up as high as she could and digging them into the trunk causing little bits are bark to fly through the air. Scrambling up she managed to perch herself on one of the lower and thicker branches. Wrapping her legs around it, Evie carefully removed her backpack and shuffle from over her shoulders. Stuffing them against the trunk and sharply angled branch she was satisfied with their security and jumped a few meters back to the ground.

She quickly stripped off her clothes and wrapped them up in her waterproof jacket, conscious of the nip in the air. Ensuring her clothes where safety located underneath another tree - so as not signal anyone that her other, more precious belongings where up the opposite tree - Evie then shifted into her grey and brown speckled wolf.

It had been a long time since she had shifted. Being less dominant compared to other wolves, she did not often feel the urge to release her most primal side.

Shaking out her body and legs, Evie began to adjust to her new form. Looking up, she saw that the sky was a less dark blue than it had been moments prior. Hurrying off, she sought out the perfect position to be waiting in for when the wood animals would emerge from their slumber.

After stalking around, with her stomach low to the moist ground, Evie was finally able to pounce forward and catch a rabbit between her jaws. Quickly, she bit down hard in order to minimise the small creatures suffering. She always had found this part the worst aspect of hunting. Shaking her head she chanted to herself that she was a new Evie - an Evie who would do what was necessary to survive.

After a few moments, Evie was done her meal and her stomach ceased making noises. She hurriedly made her way back to where her belongings were stashed away.

Having shifted back into her human form and slipped back into her clothes, Evie once again headed off in the direction of the Three Mountain pack.

She admired the beauty of the landscape around her as she ascended and descended over several smaller bumps in the landscape. She could definitely see herself living in this environment. Really, she could see any wolf living in this kind of environment - it seemed to call out the most basic needs of her wolf.

It was well and truly morning when Evie spotted her destination at the bottom of the decline she stood atop. The morning sun gently illuminated the small cluster of buildings that could only hold up to eighty people if Evie had to guess.

'Time to meet Alpha Ian I suppose.' Evie spoke to herself before slowly descending. She was not exactly sure where the pack boundary begun but she assumed that it would not be much further ahead.

As she was about to step over a small stream - only about a meter wide - a voice called out to her, making her halt.

'Stop right there. You are about the enter Three Mountain pack territory without permission. You will be captured and punished for such a crime if you proceed.' A half-clothed warrior stepped out from the trees, startling Evie and causing her jump backwards.