Among The Wolves

Ally

He bound my hands and then told me to stand. My still weak legs struggled but once I was standing I felt I could manage a walk. At least, I presumed he would want me to be walking.

He tugged the rope. “Let's go.”

Of course.

I stumbled after him. My movements were choppy and uncoordinated. The soles of my feet did not appreciate the lack of protection against twigs, stones and the like.

In these woods there were no recognizable markers or any indication of where we were. I had to settle for following this dangerous individual to who-knows-where.

Getting over my initial shock of seeing Beta Pad'Fal I realized how worn he looked. Dark bags under his eyes, jerky pained movements, and slow responses. It made sense though, the trip back from the Convention took two full days and then the attack happened first thing the following morning. I had no doubt that this wolfblood lost sleep planning and executing my capture. On top of that he took a rough beating from Wey’Don and also my stabbing.

My eyes watered again.
Still, this was good, his weakness would be my opportunity.

I observed him carefully as we walked on. Further and further we traveled. Hunger soon began to gnaw at my insides and dusk began to fall. When the rays of the sunset were visible Beta Pad'Fal finally stopped. He turned toward me and pushed me against a tree. With the rope he used to lead me, he tied that around the trunk. Then, roughly, he untied the gag around my mouth. He moved a little ways and took off his backpack. “No point in screaming. No one can hear you.”

“I can still annoy you.” I muttered through gritted teeth.

“Wouldn't advise it Vae'Lee,” He looked at me. “Or should I say Kejyta?”

“You can call me a tweerp, I really wouldn't care.”

Beta Pad'Fal chuckled, turning back to his task. “The human has developed sass, who would've thought?”

I rolled my eyes even though he was right. But canned crows feet, I was cranky and angry. I had a bad day and he was the reason.

Beta looked at me again. “I am curious, how did they alter your scent? You don't really smell like a human anymore.”

I squinted my eyes in confusion. “What makes you think I am going to tell you that?”

He shrugged, “You have a date with Alpha N'Rvett'r. No doubt, you know that you are not coming out alive. I figured now's the time to get stuff off your chest. Say your last words and stuff.”

“Stuff like how I think you are ugly?”

Beta laughed boldly. “You're cute. Too bad you taste like a human. Otherwise, I might have fun with you.” He then muttered, “The taste is still in my mouth.”

He spat on the ground next to him.

Good, I hope it never goes away.

Tied to the tree, I could do nothing but stare menacingly at Beta Pad'Fal.
Now that I knew that he still perceived me as human I could use it to my advantage. When the opportunity arose I could shift and make a run for it.
He was setting up camp for himself. Leaving me damp, shivering and uncomfortably pressed against rough bark. But I would wait.

The Beta came over, double checked my binds, used the gag rag to tie my feet and then walked back over to his campsite. He laid down and closed his eyes. “See you in the morning, human.”

I looked at him as he settled into a comfortable position. Or not.

I eyeballed and tested the strength of the rope. The rope was thinner than the rope Iota Soon'Ya used to tie me with and did not have a metal chain. I had no doubt that shifting would tear the rag around my ankles but this rope was 50/50. It was something I was going to have to risk. I just needed to wait until he was way down deep in sleep because my shifting was still unsightly.