Mine

24 - Cloud Kingdom

JAKE'S POV

I crouched down as low as possible. My belly just touching the tip of the grass blades. An enticing scent washed up my nose and I slowly crawled along the grass. My hackles raised. I could hear the tiny foot steps of a squirrel. Pricking my ears, I stayed open to my surroundings. That's what my father taught me when he showed me how to hunt.

Werewolves can eat humanly or wildly. It's our choice. I, for one, don't mind eating like a wolf. Sometimes it fascinates me to see things from another perspective. Animals really have to work to get the food to survive. Humans buy it. I guess I feel like I'm cheating nature when I eat humanly. My wolf doesn't seem to stir. He's quite lazy if you ask me. I wonder what it would be like if we could communicate.

I can see the squirrel now. It doesn't know my whereabouts but I think it knows I'm here. Out here I'm top of the food chain. I'm the predator. The wind was blowing toward the squirrel then towards me. That carries its scent to me instead of the other way round. It may not smell me but I think it hears me. I've never been good at staying quiet. My paws pad dangerously towards the squirrel. I don't want it to see me. I don't want it to smell me. It'll run.

I lay out on the ground as the wind begins to move. Every muscle in my body freezes as the squirrel stops fiddling with an acorn. It's small head vaguely scrutinizes the land. I stay absolutely still but I can feel a bone in my leg ache to move. The squirrel perks up on two feet and scans over in my area. I hide in between the density of the trees and pray the shade shields my black wolf form from being discovered. The squirrel twitches it's nose and moves its ears. So small. Tiny body with petite little arms. Almost cute in my eyes. I have to stop going all soft. I was going to feast on that squirrel. It will be my third today.

I felt the wind rustle through my fur. I grit my fangs and try to crouch lower to the ground. I see the squirrel go completely stiff as it sniffs the air curiously. I roll my eyes as it doesn't instinctively run away. The thrill of the chase surges through me and I pounce out from my cover. Now the victims instincts kick in as it darts throughout the forest. I chase it with my paws thundering against the ground. I know it's scared of me; it reeks of fear.

All the other wild life creatures run for their lives as I pound through the forest. I don't stop. I'm enjoying the stretch in my limbs. Somehow it relaxes me. The squirrel effortlessly springs over the small rocks and debris. I, however just sprint straight through them. No delicate movements are mine. I howl as I pick up pace. I'm nipping at the squirrels tail, teasing it. Playing with my food. What can I say? My wolf side has shone.

I could feel the crisp heat of the sun settle into my fur. It sank in and warmed me. I knew my black fur would be shining against the sun as I kept running after my food. My victim took a sharp right turn. I followed it like a lost puppy, skidding in the mud. I left behind some claw marks as I had dug to keep myself steady to continue after the squirrel. Birds flapped up from the trees and took flight into the sky. I guess I'd stirred them from whatever they were doing.

I passed a long river and dared to take my eyes from my prey. I could see my reflection. I looked intimidating with my black fur and wild eyes. My posture was powerful and full on, my paws thudded along the ground in sync with my heartbeat. Pulse. I could hear my pulse. From my ear. I could hear my pulse pumping blood to my ears.

To pick up even more speed, I extended my claws and hauled myself forward. Decreasing the gap between the squirrel and my jaws. I hear it's heartbeat pick up pace and I don't have any guilt when I finally clamp my teeth onto its neck. The squirrel falls limp in my grip and I feel a rush of victory shiver over my back. Don't worry, it's a good feeling. I slow to a trot and do a 'U' turn. Before I set off to leave, I sniff the air cautiously. Sometimes there are more rogues out there than you think...