The girl cried as she ran through the forest, a game of hide and seek gone wrong. She ran and ran, rocks and sticks cut at her feet but she kept running. Her tears obscuring any scenery she might recognise. The sun had almost completed its decent and soon the forest around her would be bathed in darkness. The thought terrified her even more. A fresh wave of adrenaline and panic surged through her, urging her tired body forward. Cuts littered her bare forearms and shins. Her simple dress torn beyond repair, mama would be so upset. More tears rose at the thought of her family.
A howl sounded from her left caused a new wave of fear to pass though her. Momentarily distracted, she tripped. Rocks cut into her palms as she tried to cushion her fall. Ultimately causing more harm than good. Her silver hair slipped out from underneath her red cloak hood. The large red cloak billowing around her small form was the only thing unaffected by her recent stampede through the undergrowth. The tough wool able to withstand all the brutality dealt it's way. Another howl sounded, this time much closer. The girl whipped her head around, her loose hair blocking her view for a few moments. When her hair fell away, she whimpered with fear. A wolf, bigger than any horse she had seen, stood in front of her. Although fear was still strong within her, she couldn't help but still marvel at the huge beasts beauty. The white fur speckled with light grey shone silver in the pale moonlight. She froze, her mouth slightly agape. Oh, she should have accepted Jacks offer to play! This would have never had happened if she had listened to mama and stayed inside. The wolf finished its harmonious howl and stared straight at the girl, the wind ruffling it's fur slightly.
The girl whimpered, curling herself into a ball. Her silver hair on display for all to see. Mama usually made her hide it because she said it was such a disgraceful colour. This was not how the girl envisioned her life ending. She had always thought she would meet a man and grow old with lots of her children running around. Because that's what her sister did, her mama did, her auntie did, and her grandma did. As far back as anyone could remember all the women met men, had babies, and died. It was the way of life.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the wolf walking towards her, the other wolves, equally as large, having surrounded her in the clearing. The wolf was bearing its fangs towards her, angry that the mere human child had dared come this far into their sacred forest, where they had lived in peace for centuries. He was about to do his duty as alpha, and exterminate the pest. When his mate shielded the youngling with her body, snarling furiously at her own mate.
'Out of the way Shila', he commanded, his gruff voice only terrifying the human girl more. Increasing Shila's protective instincts over the small child.
'I will not allow you to kill her Slade' the she wolf shot back, snarling louder and crouching lower over the cowering girl.
The young girl had curled herself into a ball so tight that no air could pass between her legs and her chest. She was terrified of the argument going on about wether she would live or die. Even more terrified that they talked without moving their mouths, their voices slightly echoing as they bounced around the clearing they stood in.
'You can, and you will' he fired back taking a stronger stance, the fur around his necks standing on end giving him an almost ghost like appearance.
'No. You knew when Oi chose me to be your alpha female I could not bare pups' Her defiant voice eerily echoing through the crowded clearing. 'She is mine now and we shall raise her as one of us'. Her tone was final. She would not budge on this.
Slade growled ferociously, a last ditch effort to try and make Shila submit or reconsider her decision. But she stayed put, covering the shaking girl from view with her body.
'Very well' Slade announced. 'She is your responsibility and yours alone, she will learn to hunt' he continued, 'If she does not pull her weight or endangers our pack I want her gone.' He turned away, before looking over his shoulder, 'or I shall dispose of her myself.' He gave one last snap of his jaws as a warning, then stalked back into the forest. The other wolves in the clearing following him.
