The Hunted

Chapter Four • Rose

Chapter Four • Rose

I forgot almost everything about my human life when I was a wolf. The only thing on my mind was survival.        

            I remembered three other wolves watching me. A red-gray furred wolf, I quickly recognized as John, howled loudly, and the other two followed after him. It was an eerie yet beautiful symphony, and I couldn’t help but join in on their song to the moon. Then the darkness of the night froze to silence.

            John shoved passed me, his tail flicking my muzzle. He barked a low note and walked into the woods. It was clear that he wanted us to follow him. The crisp winter leaves and dry pine needles crunched lightly under my paws. The wind blew through my ruff and different sorts of smells grew clearer as they came with the wind. My nose worked the air. I could smell smells I’d never smelt before – the richness of the moist dirt, the metallic of blood on Dieter’s ruff, and the bittersweet earthy scent of wolf.

            Suddenly a rustling noise caught my attention. I stopped and turned around. My ears, slightly back, observed my surroundings – trees, trees, dirt, trees, a timid doe, and more trees.

            John nuzzled my shoulder with his snout, directing me to keep walking.

            But I was caught up in a sweet distraction. My nose started working again against the frigid air. I smelt dinner. My empty stomach twisted painfully at the sight of the poor doe.

            I crouched on the cool forest floor, pine needles and leaves pressed up under my belly. My bushy tail swayed slightly. The doe caught my eyes and froze in her tracks. But by then it was too late. I leaped onto her back – my claws piercing into her fragile skin. Her terrified high pitched scream filled the open air. The three other wolves turned around. I bit into her flesh and rich blood poured into my mouth. The wolves circled in closer, and a low growl escaped from the back of my throat. Disregarding my warning, I felt someone’s teeth grind my neck and pull me on the ground. It was John.

            I growled at him, warning him to back off. With a flash of teeth, he towered over me though and pinned me to the floor, telling me that he was in control. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Levi and Dieter rip apart the doe. My doe. I struggled to get out of John’s hold but couldn’t. Eventually, John let me go, and we joined in with Dieter and Levi.

            After the incident with the doe, we rested. I rolled up into a ball, and the other wolves’ bodies pressed against me – soft and warm – protecting each other against the elements. With the lull of the wind and rustle of leaves, I closed my eyes. Maybe when I woke up it would be just one big nightmare.