Moon Child

Little White Wolf

I growl and bare my teeth. The deranged rouge lets out a raspy growl in return and charges at me. I stay still waiting for my opponent to get close enough, lowering down I wait to make my move. Right before it makes contact, I turn and bite down on its throat pulling its jugular clean out of its throat. Blood spews out covering my fur. I take a step back from its lifeless body and shake off the crimson liquid, with one final growl I turn and run away from the crime scene.

The night air glides through my tainted white fur, the bitter air bites at my nose. The sound of twigs snapping is deafening as my paws hit the forest floor with reckless abandon. Tonight, was the end of a moon cycle, the moonlight was illuminating my path, the forest basking in its glow. But the light didn't touch all the land, the trees casted shadows as a reminder of what was lurking in the darkness. I pant, the crisp air burning my lungs, my nose working extra hard to track the everchanging scents around me. I run for about an hour before I spot a river. I slow down to a trot and make my way over to the water; without a second thought I jump in. I swim against the rapids and let the water wash away the crimson reminder. Once I was sure my coat was white again, I jumped out and shook the water droplets out of my fur.

I take off running letting the chilly air dry my body. I run for the next 4 hours before my body started to feel weak and tired. Keeping up my steady pace I begin searching for a place to stop and rest for the night.

I slow down when I see a clearing in the distance and take a deep breath, not finding another wolfs scent for miles; I decide to investigate the clearing further. It's covered in wildflowers and has a stream running through it. It was large enough to protect myself if I encounter an unwelcome visitor throughout the night. Despite its proximity to a nearby pack I decided to rest here for the night. I am sure the pack is already aware of my arrival in the meadow; If I remember correctly this pack was the strongest in the world, famous for its cruel leaders. I am sure the boarder control could smell me and has notified the alpha. As long as I am gone by morning, they shouldn't care. The last few weeks my wolf has been urging me to travel up north and each night we get closer to this pack. I am unsure why Ophelia wants to lead us up so far north, we are playing a dangerous game.

"You do know we share a mind" Ophelia scoffs her words echoing in my mind "I can hear everything you think"

"Yes, I do know that, but it is more fun if I pretend you don't" I giggle back.

I trot over to the middle of the clearing and lay down in a ball under the moonlight, its light reflecting off my snow colored coat. Letting out a yawn I lower my head onto my legs and close my eyes, and letting Ophelia take control. She always stands guard at night while I rest. Listening to the steam calms me until soon darkness warms me like a blanket. The further I slip into sleep I am transported to an ethereal hallway decorated in white and black. At the end of the hallway I see a ball of light heading in my direction, the closer it gets I start to make out the shape of a woman. I gasp as she comes into focus noticing the woman looked like an older version of me. Her presence glowed and her calm demeanor warmed me like a coat in winter.

"Amaris, my beautiful child, you must go north" she utters before offering me a small smile and disappearing in a flash of light.

"Amaris wake up theirs trouble" Ophelia growls and as soon as I come too the rotten sent hits me like a brick. Still drowsy I let Ophelia remain in control and watch as she stands us Infront of the pack of rouges. I notice that we are grossly outnumbered 10 to one. Packs of rogues are very uncommon and extremely dangerous, yet this is the second pack I have encountered this moon cycle. I heard rumors of rouges forming a large pack called the outcasts. With a mission to kill off all other packs as revenge. I assumed they were rumors, but I am not so sure anymore. Ophelia lets out a loud growl as one of the wolfs takes a step towards us.

The wolf stops and tilts its head in contempt, transforming into an older man. He looked like he had been a rouge for many years his silver hair matted down and dirty. He smiles and raises his hands signaling for me to stay put, Ophelia growls back in response.

"Why hello little white wolf, are you lost" he mocks looking at my fur "Our pack has been tracking you for a while now. You somehow escaped our last ambush, so they sent me this time"

I take control back, finished assessing the situation, and growl back and start looking around for a plan to escape knowing my only shot is to run. They came down from the north so they are blocking the north exit, but we can turn around and head south for as long as we can. "Yes. I will look for an opening and bolt" Ophelia answers.

"You won't be getting away this time" he barks and snaps his fingers. All the other wolfs move to surround me blocking off all exits. Looks like we will be escaping this the hard way. "We want to invite you to join our pack, the outcasts. You are a good fighter, but you can't fight all of us at once. So, you have two options. Die or join us".

He looks smug like he had me cornered. I pretend to ponder his offer and take the opportunity to look around at his companions. He clearly chose the north spot thinking I wouldn't be stupid enough to go north, which has made him more vulnerable, since he has let his guard down. I nod my head at his proposition and watch as his eyes light up with delight and something else...something sinister. I sense his companions also relax slowly letting their guard down. That is when I strike.

Jumping I lock the old man's head between my jaws and push my legs down on his shoulders and pull. Ripping his head clean off his body, dropping it from my mouth next to his lifeless frame. His companions pause in shock and I take my chance and sprint north. Ophelia fights for dominance "What are you doing we are heading straight into the lion's den Amaris. If these rouges don't kill us this pack will". I mutter back "Trust me".