Opal

21 ☾ Main attraction

Opal POV

I pace back and forth in the metal cage, staring vehemently at the pack of wolves across from me. They taunt me with their mere presence. They're just weaker reflections of myself.

There's only a few of them. All of them gray wolves, stuck in a cage that seems awfully familiar. I'm almost twice the size of them. I lick my lips as a snarl rips free of me, my teeth bared as I lick them.

Even on my own, I could easily kill them, I could easily take their pack on. They would submit to me. I guarantee it. Even now, they watch me carefully, nervously. Their alpha male even tucks his tail when I make eye contact. They know I'm above them.

My snout twitches, I want to get at them, want to assert my dominance. I have been recovering slowly over the past few days, and I want out of this cage. I want to see what's outside this metal, wire wall. I want to go outside.I want my peaceful death plan back.

I stop pacing when the door swings open, the human that took care of me walking in. She busies herself with tasks around the room, glancing up at me occasionally. She is the one truly in charge here, even if I could tear her apart without this cage in my way.

Although I'm still remarkably weakened, the humans are pumping me full of medications and whatever other liquids to prolong my life. I just want all of it to be over.

I lay down on my flanks, waiting patiently for something to happen, anything at all to shatter the monotony..

My ears perk when the door opens once more, and another human comes into the room. He is young, tall, and curious. I haven't seen this man before. His clothes are different too, matching tan shirt and shorts with a ridiculous green pawprint on his breast pocket. He runs a hand through his blonde hair, eyes flicking towards me in interest.

I breath out through my nose in distaste. I don't like him already. He watches me cautiously as I bare my teeth at him. He doesn't seem afraid though, but he should be.

"So, this is the new wolf." He remarks, squatting down to look at me. He makes eye contact, something that doesn't go over my head. I snarl, jumping to my feet and continuing to growl at him as a warning.

He backs away. A sign of submission.

"Yes, and don't bother her. She's wild, and aggressive." The female human says, busy with papers and writing, not looking up from her work.

I keep eye contact with the male, not willing to look away first.

He eventually breaks eye contact, leaving me alone in favor of meaningless conversation with the other human. I've won this round.

"When are we letting her out?" He wonders, fidgeting with some light up rectangle in his hand.

The female shrugs, still not looking at him. I'm starting to think that she has no respect for the male.

"Soon. She's getting stronger, and she's been cooped up in here for a while now." She responds, and I realize theyre talking about me. "We'll try letting her into the enclosure this afternoon, give her some time in the sun. How about that?"

Outside. They're going to let me outside. I begin my pacing all over again with renewed vigoras understanding dawns.

I tune out the rest of the conversation. The humans drone on about Goddess knows what as I plot. I will escape. My death is inevitable, and it will be on my terms.

I feel no gratitude for these humans saving me. They just slowed down a process that has one end result.

All I want is to be put out of my misery. Instead, they brought me to some rehabilitation place. This is all I need. It's all just more time before the inevitable end.

Minutes slide into hours as I become familiar with every inch of my small cage. I sniff at the metal, I paw the cement floor and walls, missing the dirt and trees so bad that my heart aches. This place is unnatural.

I don't belong in a box, even if it's hurried 6 feet under. I belong in the forest, food for its ecosystem. A small part of the circle of life, just as the Goddess intended.

After much time passes, the human sighs, throwing down a clipboard a pinching the bridge of her nose. She sighs, taps her foot. None of her movements are lost on me. I'm on edge. I'm ready.

She smiles a small smile. She walks closer, leaning over and then she speaks to me.

"Okay, girl. Get some fresh air. It should help your recovery." She presses a button. Behind me, a metal door lifts to reveal a flood of sunlight that stings my sensitive eyes.

I walk towards the portal out of my personal hell, the scent of outside wafts around me. Excitement jolts through my system.. The shock is enough to rush me forward to the outdoors. Ice cold wind slashes through my dark fur, funneling into my ears and ears. I welcome the discomfort. Finally, I can feel something.

As soon as my eyes focus on my surroundings, I stop running. My claws scarpe across real soil, my tail brushes authentic foliage, and memories of concrete are only in the back of my mind when I spot the wire fence surrounding me.

My breathing picks up when I realize that I'm trapped once again. Maybe this container is nicer, but a cage is a cage. I pant with stress as I try to figure out what exactly I got myself into.

"Mommy! Look!" The screeched words cause my ears to twitch.

I quickly dart my eyes around, seeing too many humans for my licking. All of them staring at me. Pointing. Taunting.

My breath huffs from my nose, creating a cloud of fog around my face. I stand proudly with chest puffed out, even though the only thing I want to do is run and hide. My pride won't allow it.

As more humans gather round, I realize something. I'm not just a charity case. I'm the main attraction.