They were still after me!

My paws nearly tripped over each other, muscles coiling and flexing as I ran as fast and far as I could. Even if I gave everything I had, I could hear the wolves behind me. Could smell them chasing me.

They were running side-by-side, keeping up with ease as I dodged and weaved through the forest. My paw ached every time I set it on the floor and pushed off but there was no possibility for me to stop running, to surrender to those wolves.

My eyes spotted a small rock formation ahead and when I noticed a small crack in the rocks, I quickly dashed for it and squeezed in. It was barely big enough to allow me in, so it would surely keep those bigger wolves out.

I coiled up tightly, keeping my paws underneath my body in case I had to make a quick escape. Already the pair was sniffing at the entrance, barely a second after my tail had slipped inside.

"Damn, he's quick."

"Of course he is, he's terrified." The other one muttered, kneeling down on the floor to look in the den. I was panting heavily, letting out a small growl as I licked my nose. Maybe it was foolish of me to dart in this small den, but my paws needed a moment to heal.

They were burning, tingling as I inspected them. Some of the sensitive pads would scar, there was no doubt about it. But I already had several scars to remember the humans and their treatment by.

"Should we call the pack?" The younger wolf asked, scratching at his hair. Dorian seemed to ponder about it before sighing. "You know why Lee sent us here Dimitri. Marcus would want his revenge for Zayne, not to mention Quinton."

As they kept talking, I could feel my body recovering. They were focused on their conversation but every time I shifted my weight a bit or made an audible sound, they paused to look at my location.

It's risky but... if I can get them by surprise...

Moving a paw, I pressed it to the floor and was glad to only feel a slight tingle of exertion. No pain, no burning, just pressure of the dirt against my pad, and the vibration of the two men conversing outside.

They spoke about a pack and alerting them... a single wolf I could deal with, a pair I could outrun. But a full pack? They'd dig me out and rip me to shreds as easily as I dug out that rabbit.

Suddenly they both grew quiet, seemingly drawn into themselves. I was scared that they had heard me, prepared to grab me but my heart raced even quicker when Dorian nodded. "They're on their way."

No.

NO!

Instantly my muscles flexed and I dashed between their legs, hearing curses and shouts as I bolted. My ears were flat against my head, tail tucked between my legs and pressing tightly against my belly.

They are not getting me!

My ears twitched as I heard them pursuing me, but I veered off to the right when I heard a distant rumbling. The smell of fresh water tickled my nose, making me sprint even faster.

I could swim just fine. I could jump over the river or swim across. But when the river came into sight, I didn't realize it would be that...volatile.

The water was tumbling over rocks rapidly, dragging along branches and other debris. My heart thudded at the thought of jumping in that but I could tell that the two wolves were right on my tail, preparing to tackle me.

Either I jumped, or they would catch me.

The inner voice was pushing in my mind but I snarled and pushed it back. It felt some kind of bond with these wolves but at the same time, it was just as confused as I was. I heard the paws behind me slow down, bones cracking before a voice shouted out.

"Stop! You're going to kill yourself!"

Running to the edge of the river, feeling the wet, slippery rocks dig into my paws, I clenched my muscles together before jumping as far as I could. I barely made it halfway before I plunged into the cold water.

The water instantly closed above my head, my paws clawing through it and scratching at the rocks beneath as I was pushed down and yanked from side to side. I managed to kick up and gasp for air, paddling to the other side.

The river was relentless in its attempt to drown me, dragging me down in the water and twisting me around so I was confused on which way was up. Several times I was smacked into the riverbed, forcing air to explode from my lungs and cold water to rush through my body before I was shoved back to the surface.

Movement caught my attention and I saw the wolves running along the other riverbed, letting out worried yips and whines as they eyed me. I tried to ignore them as best as I could, whining when I was slammed against a rock, stealing my breath before I was sucked under again.

The roar of the river was deafening, numbing my senses completely as I tried my best to stay afloat. Luckily for me, the pull of the water seemed to drag me away from the wolves and closer to the other side.

My tail wagged tiredly as I was lead in a slower part of the river. Kicking with my hind legs, I slowly paddled to the other shore before collapsing on the rocky shore, breathing heavily and coughing slightly.

Made it...

A distant howl forced shivers over my spine and I had to force myself back up on my paws when I heard two responding howls just across the river. The wolves were watching me, tails in a slow wag as they whimpered.

I was glad that the river at their side was still a rapid stream that they wouldn't cross. Even if they jumped in, they'd be dragged further down the river and swept away much like I was.

Shaking my fur out, I felt the bandages around my throat and leg droop, completely soaked. I slowly stood on trembling legs, nearly collapsing again before I ventured into the woods.

I didn't look behind me to know the wolves were still looking at my disappearing form. Breaking twigs and pants also alerted me on the fact that their pack was heading their way.

Have to move... have to get away.

It seemed as if my mind shut down, my body working on its own. The inner voice seemed to feel my complete exhaustion and soothed me, calmed me down and urged me to rest.

Can't... rest... they'll find me... hurt me...

Must...run...farther...

It relented, instead pushing me to the back of my mind as it took over, pushing through and walked ahead. It felt weird to be in a body that wasn't controlled by your own actions but I trusted the voice to know what it was doing.

It traveled until the moon was in the sky and we couldn't hear or scent any of those wolves in the air. My paws tripped as I gained back control before standing, looking around. It seemed that I was in a dense forest of pines, rocky outcrops here and there and I could smell fresh water.

Perfect.

This is home...

I found the entrance of an old rabbit hole and started digging. My paws were aching, body shivering but I refused to sleep out in the open. I needed to dig myself a den that was narrow enough for me to pass through, but keep all those abnormally huge wolves out.

The sky was growing lighter by the time I had dug deep enough for my liking. The den was pretty sizable and allowed me to stretch out completely, even move around a bit. It was perfect for me.

I instantly dropped and closed my eyes before allowing sleep to draw me under. My body wasn't even done curling up before I was asleep.

------

Birds chirped loudly, skittering over the sand and picking at insects in the churned up sand. My ears twitched before I opened my eyes with a groan. The sunlight illuminated the entrance of the den, barely grazing over my front paws in a gentle caress.

I huffed, rolling on my side. I just wanted to keep sleeping until my body stopped aching. Sadly I couldn't do that; I needed to drink and hunt soon. Stretching out, I let out a soft whine before padding towards the entrance, squirming through the narrow twist before I was outside.

Nothing was there, only the birds and the occasional squirrel that jumped from branch to branch. Following my nose to the small creek, I lapped eagerly at the water until I was full, peeing in it to hide my scent.

I wasn't stupid. Those wolves would be looking out for me, and something that smelled as powerful as a scent mark would draw their attention. My instincts wanted to claim territory but surviving was more important than staking claim on land.

A few fish darted away as I paddled over to the other side of the stream, spooked at the disturbance in the water. I ignored them though, choosing against wasting energy by chasing them.

Pesky little devils.

Instead I explored the forest, sniffing around for possible prey. I was a bit unnerved by the odd scent of humans here and there but it seemed to be the same scent.

Better keep an eye out for that one human...

My fur tingled and my heart thudded in my throat as I scented something different... something dangerous. My eyes landed on claw marks high up in the tree. Huge claw marks. I hesitantly took a sniff, my lips curling at the thick scent that clung heavily to the scarred tree.

The same scent oozed of a pile of scat, but I didn't need to sniff it to know just what that belonged to.

A grizzly bear.

A huge, male bear that wouldn't think twice of ripping any predator to shreds if they got too close. Luckily the scent and marks seemed rather old. I'd guess that this area wasn't in the bear's usual path, only visited when he patrolled his borders.

Still... It was best to stay cautious and stay away from places that reeked of bear. I took the time to patrol and make a mental note of where I spotted small herds of deer, signs of bear activity and even the slight swishing of a mountain lion's tail.

I had to compete with many predators around this area but if I could live my life and live it free, it was worth it.

For now, I was going to take it easy, let my wounds heal and rest up before I would start the real exploration. Who knows, if there was no signs of wolf activity in the neighborhood, I might start howling to see if there were any wolves nearby.

And if there weren't, I might as well mark my own territory.

The inner voice hummed in content as I slowly trekked back to my den. A yawn slipped from my lips, making me stretch before I slipped in the den, wagging happily.

A nap sounds just about right.