Among The Wolves

Defense

I began screaming like a banshee getting an acupuncture.

In a flash his huge hands gripped my neck and squeezed to the point the pain receptors were going off like fireworks. My screaming was instantly cut off. I grabbed his wrist and clawed at them but he was unperturbed. Stars speckled my vision and my heart felt like it was in my head.

Was this it? The moment I died was going to be in an echoey stairwell. In my home country by the hands of a snoopy wolfblood? My feeble attempts to get out of the hand restraints were getting weaker and I could tell. This made me remorseful, the last year of my life had been useless, literally in a bed doing nothing and now this was how I was going to die? There was a cascade of emotions despite my vision fading: anger, fear, contrition, sadness. I also felt something else... something I had not felt in a long time. An inkling of a hum.

Halfway to unconsciousness I wondered if I could ever shift with intention. Before, shifting had always been forced on me. Could I shift, just because I wanted to?

What was it that Hem'Lar's letter said? I could not remember anymore.

I felt the hand around my neck loosen a smidge. I was able to draw a half a breath, my vision cleared ever so slightly.

Rogue Gan'Dai was sniffing, his brow scrunched up like tree bark. "Why do you smell of us?"

With no intention of responding, I tried pulling my head back putting a little more focus on the buzz in my chest. I did not know what I was doing but I desperately wanted to shift. It was my last chance, I knew.

Rogue Gan'Dai lifted me off the ground but still allowed me to take half breaths. "Speak or I will take you to the boss. That is something you don't want."

The buzz migrated to my arms and legs. Slowly, I saw my vision turning red. I kept focusing on the growing vibrations. I noticed that with it, my other emotions were dangerously growing as well.

I blinked and my vision completely turned. Rogue Gan'Dai looked up and saw my eyes. Startled, he lost his grip on me. His own wide eyes showed how shocked he was. I mean, when did he ever see a human with wolfblood eyes?

With the large breath of air the buzzing boomed in my veins. I half expected to start growing hair, but rather, immediately, I felt a certain power in my muscles. A strength that was foreign to me.

Gan'Dal recovered from his shock and grabbed the collar of my business dress. "Who are you?"

With the cascade of overwhelming emotions, I felt the urge to be snarky. My lips turned up into a smirk, looking blatantly into his eyes I finally responded, "The proper question would be... what am I?"

I thrust my hand up, colliding with Gan'Dal's jaw. He had no time to react. Then I elbowed his other arm away from me and with my foot kicked him backwards.

The he-wolf failed his arms, not at all expecting this. With some skill, he caught himself on the railing before he fell down the stairs. He pulled himself forward and I set myself in a defensive stance. My lack of skill, however, made me uncertain if this was a good time to make a dash for it or not. I could have easily taken advantage of running while he steadied himself and yet could he outrun me? I noticed he looked calm. That was not good for me. I tried to agitate, "What's wrong kitty? Cat caught your tongue?"

Gan'Dai snapped his head toward me. Part confusion and anger riddled his features. He lounged at me with half shifted arms. As he clawed for my neck I ducked down and swiped his foot. As he stumbled I rolled out from underneath him. His knee fell hard on the unforgiving metal floor. Even as he fell he swung his hand and boxed my side. This caused me to lose my balance and hit the railing. If I had been any closer I would have fallen down the stairs.