Lupa

Prologue

Lupa

Since before time was measured, wolves have been opponents of mankind. Both species driven to survive at the expense of the other.

Man saw the effectiveness of their hunts, heard their song echoing through the mountains and were equal parts afraid and in awe. Myths and legends grew up about the shadowy forms that inhabited the woods. Stories were told around home fires of the seeming magic of the creatures.

However, over time, the balance shifted in favour of mankind and the wolves were driven deeper into the forests. Elusive, grey wraiths only visible to the few who dared venture beyond the safety of the villages. The stories were not told as often, people forgot about the dangers of the forest and in forgetting that, some of the mystique was lost from the lives of mankind.

But magic still exists. If you know where to look.

In the wild.....

Prologue

She could hear nothing.

Lying face down, her eyes slowly opened and she tasted dirt in her mouth. The simple effort of trying to raise her head caused her back to erupt into flames of agony and she felt trails of blood running down the sides of her ribs. Sliding her hands up underneath her, slowly, slowly, she pushed herself up onto her knees, having to stop as nausea washed over her.

It was cold and as she took a deep breath, the frigid air in her lungs startled her awake. He wasn't there, but she knew that he wouldn't be far away. Looking down, she realized her hands weren't tied anymore. Did he think she was too badly hurt to try and escape? Adrenaline shot through her system, forcing her to her feet before she stopped, a groan escaping her lips as the movement broke open some of the deeper wounds along her spine.

Clinging to a post, she looked around at the room which had been her prison for the last three days. Old timber boards were nailed to supporting posts and she could see light coming through the gaps. Stumbling over to the wall, she slid her fingers between two of the boards tested both her strength and that of the timber. Her heart leaped in her chest when it cracked. It was old, nearly rotten. Hurriedly, she pulled at it, each success spurring her further. The last board she had to break to make a hole big enough to fit through panicked her. What if it was too strong? What if, at the final moment, she couldn't do it? Then it came away in her hand.

Not stopping to catch her breath, she squeezed out though the gap, involuntarily crying out when the board caught on an open wound on her shoulder. Falling down, she gasped for air. She was free!

Then her head shot up as the faint sound of a vehicle was heard coming up the mountain. Galvanised into action she staggered to her feet and started moving. The trees were close, so close. All she needed to do was cross a field then she would have a chance.

Stumbling over a rock she barely managed to keep her feet. The sound of the vehicle was getting louder and her breath came in sobs at the thought of what he would do to her if he caught her again.

The forest was by nature designed to conceal things. If she could only get to it, she would have a chance, it was so close. Then she reached the tree line. Not stopping, she moved as fast as she could through the undergrowth. Climbing over deadfalls, down hills and scrambling over rocks. She had a vague idea of her position and although she was aware of how badly she was hurt, she didn't stop moving. What seemed like hours later she fell to her knees, she crawled under a bush and into what opened up to be a large cave. Desperately tired, she had just enough strength left to find some supplies she had left here at an earlier time and put together the makings of a fire. As the flames caught on the kindling and started to flare up, she slumped to the ground, now that she had stopped moving, she could feel the cold and started shivering violently. Wrapping her arms around her knees, tears fell down her cheeks as she rocked herself back and forth, trying to find some comfort in the swaying movement.

Slowly, as the fire started to build in strength, she warmed and the shaking started to diminish. Putting an arm out to the side, she lowered herself to the ground, exhaustion finally overcoming her and taking a deep breath, she sank into oblivion.