Alphas, Rogues, & Betrayal

Attempted Escape

I spent the rest of the day in the cave.  I only went out once more to do my business and to use the snow to scrub off the green paste.  I walked around the cave frequently, warming up and strengthening my limbs.  They had become a little weak without proper use.  The cave was bigger than I had first thought.  It was about forty feet deep and twenty feet wide, though the entrance was considerably smaller, about five feet in width.  It was spacious in the fact the cave was about ten feet in height, making easy space to move around in.  There was a crack in the cave ceiling in which a small hole opened up, letting in light.

            Raoul spent most of the day with me, only ever leaving to bring back food, do his business, and, twice, to take care of ‘pack’ business.  Otherwise, he was always at my side or sitting down, watching me as I walked around.  All too often for my comfort I felt his eyes roaming over my body.

            When night settled, he made a fire at the side of the cave entrance.  I watched with cold attentiveness as the flames danced in the cold night air, leaping and flickering.  I remembered the screams and howls of my pack. I saw the flames come at us; I saw some of my own kind ablaze as their bodies wreathed in agony.  I could feel my own body as it was singed and burnt as I ran, the smoke filling my nose, eyes, and lungs.  I could taste it as . . .

            I jumped when Raoul put an arm around my shoulders.  I looked at him then, since I was so lost in my memories I had not felt or heard him sit down next to me.  He still wore the same clothes –as did I-, his black hair was slicked back, and his gray eyes seemed to search mine.  I leaned on him, feeling his muscled body.  It was a strong comfort to me.  I felt safe with him around.

            “Shh,” he soothed, stroking my hair.  “It won’t happen again, I promise.  I’ll protect you, always.”

            Tears silently fell down my face.  Soon his shirt was soaked.  I wrapped my arms around his waist and clung on to him, wanting to forget what had happened.  I felt Raoul nuzzle my neck, trying to soothe me.

            After a while, I pulled away and carefully lied down.  The fire had died down.  It was no more than a foot high, trying to dance in the night still.  I glared at it.

            ‘I will put it out,’ I heard Raoul say through our mind link.

            I was a bit startled at his sudden mind link, but I hid my reaction.  It was only natural, and I was used to it in my pack. 

            I watched as Raoul walked outside, the moonlight illuminating his tall dark frame.  After a moment he came back with an armful of snow, which he dumped on the fire.  The fire hissed and sizzled.  I covered my nose and mouth as steam filled in around where the fire had been.

            Raoul came over after and lied down behind me, giving me a quick kiss before lying down completely.  I felt his arm drape over my chest and him nuzzle my neck.  I stayed still, wishing I could have my pack and him.  I cursed the mark again.  Our bond was deepening with time, and there was nothing I could do about it.  I needed to escape soon, no matter how much I wanted to stay in Raoul’s protection.  I gently touched the wound on my side.  It was healing quickly now as it became smaller.  It was about the size of my fist, just a little smaller.  I smiled.  Escape tomorrow.

            I awoke early in the morning, the sun’s rays weak on my face.  The first thing I did was to check my wound.  I was glad werewolves healed twice as quickly as humans, as the healing speed was combined with both the human body and the wolf’s body.  It had healed, though I was still a little sore.  Next, I checked on Raoul.  Luckily for me he had rolled over away from me, snoring lightly still.  It was time.  My wolf was furious; I could feel her trying to take over.  I did not let her.

            I quickly yet silently rose out of bed.  I took some of the meat out from where I had hidden it from dinner last night and quickly ate it.  I ate the rest as I walked toward the cave entrance in a hurry.  I looked back once, to make sure Raoul was still asleep, and left.  Once outside, I went behind a stone outcropping and shifted.

            I tucked my clothes in my mouth and looked around, sensing which way was home.  Then I began to run.  It was pure joy to run finally in my wolf form, even though she fought me to go back.  I was a huge red wolf with small white socks on my front legs, beigeunderbelly, and a white muzzle with a small blaze running up to my forehead.  I was as large as most small males, which was unusual for a female.  My father had told me a wolf’s size depended on its size of heart and the strength of its spirit.  Seeing how strong spirited I was and my loyalty to what I cared for, he told me I should not be surprised I was so big.

            I ran swiftly, enjoying the feel of the snow being crushed under my paws and the sun shining on my face.  My thick coat kept me warm while a chilly breeze blew in my face.  I wanted to howl in my joy though fear of being captured kept from me from doing so.  The sun was slowly rising.  It was a new day and a new start.

            I had been running for about an hour when I stopped at huge, knarled dead tree.  It reached up to the sky like a claw, black against the blue sky.  It had been struck down by lightning.  I dropped my clothes I had been carrying and took a deep breath, breathing in the scent marker.  This would be the last time I would smell it again.

            I sighed, thinking of Raoul, and felt a twinge of regret.  Still, I had a duty to my pack.  I raised my paw to resume my run when something crashed into me.

            I snarled as I rolled in the snow with my attacker, snow clinging to my fur.  My wolf howled at me to let her take over.  I kicked out at my attacker and felt as it was pushed away from me.  I leaped up and spun around to face it, snarling.  My face softened.  It was Raoul.