Through a Wolf's Eyes

Prologue - The chase

Run.

I forced my paws to keep moving. Branches and thorns scraped my matted fur and pierced my skin, but it did nothing to slow me down.

Don't stop, keep running.

I crossed a small stream and almost sighed when the cold water caressed my aching paws. But I could not stop to enjoy it further, there was no time. Soon after I crossed, the howling of wolves reached my ears and forced me to take up my tempo another notch.

They're gaining on us. Faster.

My inner wolf became harsher in its commands, sensing the danger nearby. Once more I thanked my wolf for its agility and quick decision-making. Although my wolf may not be as muscled or big as other members of my species, it made up for that on other fronts.

A bark sounded on my left, and in the corners of my eyes I could spot grey fur through the undergrowth. No, I thought, this can't end here. I won't let my life end in this way.

More wolves joined the first one, flanking me on both of my sides. Two of them sped up, probably hoping to cut me off in the front. Once they managed to do that, everything would be over.

Not yet, said my wolf. Don't give up, there's still a chance.

I dashed forward, pushing my legs to the limit. Slowly but surely I caught up with the first wolf in front of me and passed him by. The second one seemed to notice what I was doing and pulled in a sprint as well.

Faster.

I reached the other wolf, racing against him side to side.

Faster.

My legs were aching and my breath was hitching. I pushed through.

Fas-

The ground collapsed under my feet. There was a moment of nothingness, when my feet only clawed through air, but then my body crashed into the ground. The air was knocked out of my chest when I landed and I felt a sharp pain throbbing at my left shoulder.

It's over, I thought and waited for the teeth and claws that would end this life of mine. I waited, and waited, but they never came.

I looked up and found myself only a few meters from my assailants. They stared at me from the top of the small ravine I had just fallen off from, growling in frustration.

Why don't they attack? Sure, my fall had been quite painful, but the jump shouldn't be too difficult for a wolf their size. Yet, they didn't advance any closer, instead, one of the female wolves, with dark brown fur and amber eyes, barked at the others and turned tail. A howl then filled the clearing, forcing the remaining wolves to retreat as well and disappear into the bushes, leaving me behind.

I still kept my guard up, my wolf nagging at me that it could be a trick, that they will come back to finish me off, but when even the last of their lingering smell dissolved and I was definitely alone, I could finally relax.

For the first time in days I actually believed that maybe...maybe I was safe.

To be continued...