Runt In The Wild

Chapter Eighteen

I jerked up with a yelp and looked around. I was back on the rock tower, and the moon was going down as the sun was rising.

Everything from my vision came back to me in a rapid rush. I have to get back to the pack. Now.

I ran down the rock tower, half way stumbling down. I continued on to the forest line when I realized that I didn't know where I had come from. Oh crap.

I closed my eyes, trying to remember the way I had come when a smell drifted into my nose. "Come this way," a voice whispered. It was the voice from my vision.

I took off through the forest, following the scent. I never stopped to eat or drink; I just kept on running. I even ran through the night, never sleeping. I did that for a week straight, running through four different forests, over two rocky hills, and across three rivers.

But now, my stomach is starting to catch up with me so I need to find some food, and a place to rest before I carry on.

I end up catching a rabbit, which for once on this journey is enough to make me full. I also found a little pond with a small rocky overhang where I could sleep.

I woke up as soon as the first rays of light were rising over the horizon. I got up and immediately caught the scent. I ran off through the forest, and the cycle began.

I started to recognize familiar formations on the horizon a week later. They were from my pack. I ran faster knowing that I would be home soon.

It took me three days to get close to the border. But it was night when I reached it, so I decided that I would find a place to sleep before going into the territory in the morning.

I slept until the sun was well in the sky, but it wasn't high sun yet. I got up, stretching my legs with a yawn. I pulled myself out of the rocks that I had slept in between for the night.

I trotted towards the pack's border with a pep in my step. I can't wait to see my friends again. And Lonnie. I bet Alpha is going to be mad at me for leaving. That is not the way of an Alpha. We are supposed to be there for the pack, no matter what.

I was jerked out my thoughts as I was tackled to the ground. "Who are you, and what are you doing in the Wild Wolf Pack?" A masculine voice growled deep in my ear.

"Get off of me!" I snarled leaping up, tossing him off of my back. The wolf yelped in surprise, but he was quickly back on his feet. He was a gray wolf with patches of dark and light gray fur. He howled before charging at me, jaws wide.

"Stop!" A dark, almost black wolf jumped in front of the attacking wolf. The new wolf stood in front of me protectively, and I crashed to the ground. The wolf spun around and sniffed at me. "Kate?" He whimpered.

I lifted my head weakly. All of the pain from not eating and resting properly from the last week and a half had finally caught up with me. I looked up into deep blue eyes that were soft but icy at the same time and that I missed so much. "Leo," I whispered softly, "I'm so sorry."

Leo whimpered before his eyes turned into fire, and he whipped around, growling at the young gray wolf. "How dare you hurt her, Ash?!" Leo snarled.

Ash stood there, wide-eyed and frightened. "I-I'm so sorry," he staggered, "I didn't know it was her."

"You didn't know it was her?! Seriously, Ash? That is the worst excuse I have ever heard." Ash shrank to the ground in fear.