In most novels, when a character fights their way through the woods it is exactly that: a fight. And while Harley read a lot of books where the main hero or heroine goes trampling through the forest, the idea of someone actually full out running through the mass of trees and underbrush was somewhat comical.

            For one, the canopy of trees overhead blocked out most of the sun. Save for a few spots where the layers of trees were less thick, almost no sunbeams seeped through. Poor visibility made it hard to see much past her face. On top of that, the underbrush of wildflowers, twisty flattened weeds, and cracked fallen tree pieces could damper any walking.

            Her only advantage really was the fact that being raised with a pack gave her a lot of experience with navigating through the trees.

            Yet all that experience did nothing for her panic attacks.

            Because of her past, woods tended to make her a bit nervous. She'd long since convinced herself to work through it. After all, her whole world revolved around woods and forests where animals could roam freely. And she really did love the beautiful qualities of some parts—like the creek.

            But if she were being completely honest with herself, she had to admit that her fear still existed and that being in the woods any time after the sun set—even though the attack happened during the day—scared the everlasting shit out of her.

            Harley took a deep breath and counted to five on the inhale and exhale. There would be no panic attacks today. Though she really didn't have much control over it, she hardened herself and stayed adamant about making sure there wouldn't be one.

 She headed back towards the pack house from the creek. Stepping over a rather large tree root, she placed her foot down on the ground. Surprised, the ground jutted off into a sudden drop. She stumbled forward, barely catching herself on a tree.

            Jeez, I'm such a clutz.

            It wouldn't be as bad if the sun weren't setting. Darkness settled in and slowly casted the canopy of trees into the night. Harley didn't have the type of senses that the other wolves had. If she did, that tree root wouldn't have been as much of a surprise.   

             Looking back at the offending root, she continued forward, only to slam into something and fall backward. Hard.

            "Ow!" A petite blond grabbed at her shoulder where Harley collided with her.

            Harley scrambled upward, putting out a hand to help her up. The girl ignored it and got up on her own. She brushed dirt off her shirt. "Newbies. Always a mess." She muttered under her breath. Even without werewolf senses she could still hear her. Harley tried not to take offense. Much.

            "Hi?" Harley twisted her fingers. "Sorry. I didn't mean to—"

            The girl waved her off. Rather rudely. "Whatever. You Harley?"

            "Yeah." How'd she know?

            "I'm Jamie."

            It was an awkward meeting if Harley'd ever seen one. "What are you doing out here?"

            Jamie tossed her long blond hair over one shoulder. She scrutinized Harley from head to toe. "My dad sent me out here. Wants to see you." She shrugged delicately. "Or something."

            "Okay." Harley looked around, the area suddenly confusing to her. "Um, could you point me in the right direction?"

            Jamie rolled her eyes and pointed to her right.

            Harley gave her a nod and headed off towards the direction of the setting sun. "Thanks." She threw over her shoulder.

~

            Something must've gone wrong. The sun had since set and she still hadn't stumbled onto the pack house. Jamie couldn't have pointed her in the wrong direction, right? She was a wolf. She had to know these woods like the back of her hand.

            The girl seemed a bit...less than conversational. But definitely not mean. And they'd just met. There's no way she'd purposefully lead her in the wrong direction. She refused to believe it.

            Night settled in and Harley's nerves began to fry. She was alone. In the forest. At night. It was like every horror movie set brought to life.

            God, why did she decide it was a good idea to go exploring?

            She slowed down, her eyes searching the darkness for any hint of civilization. Instead, the trees pressed in on her and became dancing shadows of pale, crooked bony hands and twisted malnourished torsos.

            Against her control, her chest squeezed tight. She took a deep breath and attempted to fight off the chill seeping through her bloodstream. All the fears and memories of the attack blurred in her mind. Her heart raced faster.

            The darkness plays tricks. She reminded herself. Darkness lies. They're not really there.

            Her breath came out in gasps, her blood pounding in her ears, and she whirled around in a half circle. The pack house had their lights on by now. All she had to do was find it.

            Something near her shifted. Bushes whispered as leaves rubbed together. A breath caught in her throat and tangled there with her heart.

            From the trees, wings rustled as a bird took off.

            Deep breath, Harley. There is not one else in this forest except yourself.

            Her feet took her farther and farther into the distance. She stopped and looked around again. Maybe it was time to switch directions?

            She tried that. Eventually her feet began to ache and she sat down. Her head found her hands. How was she ever going to get out of here?

            Behind her, right behind her, came a soft growl. She jumped, spun, and tripped onto her butt.

            There, from the endless darkness, two yellow-green eyes glowed.

            No.

            Backing up, a whimper escaped her throat. Suddenly, it was like the attack all over again. Thirteen years, but they'd finally come back to finish the job.

            And this time, she didn't have Mathias to protect her.

            Her back hit a tree, trapping her. The bark bit into her skin through her clothes. The wolf, a grey-brown animal with exposed teeth, crept closer.

            This is it. She thought. And all at once she wanted nothing more than to fall to the ground, sobbing. This is how I die.

            The wolf's warm breath fanned in her face. She tilted her head to the side, squeezing her eyes shut. If she was going to die, if this would be her end, she sure as hell didn't want to see it.

            A cold, wet nose touched her cheek. A whine followed. The wolf stepped back.

            What?

            Harley dimly watched as the wolf's form twisted and turned to its other form.

            And then...the distinct outline of a girl stood in front of her. "Harley? Oh, God I'm so sorry. I thought you were an intruder." The girl lifted her hands, palms out in a calming gesture. "Hey, hey I'm sorry." She sat slowly onto the ground, naked as the day she was born. Harley could only tell because her pale skin reflected brightly like the moon.

            Meanwhile, Harley fought back the pressure on her chest and tried to take deep breaths. "Who--?"

            The girl pointed to herself. "Me? I'm Bailey." She flashed straight white teeth. "Alpha's been lookin' for yah."

            Relief seeped slowly through Harley. This girl, Bailey, was with the pack. She'd help her get back. Oh thank God.

            "Good thing I wandered a bit on my patrol tonight, huh?" Bailey glanced around." Did you get lost?"

            Harley swallowed hard. Nodded. "How do you know my name?"

            Bailey smiled kindly, almost sorrowful at the question. "Darlin', everyone around here knows you."

            Before she could even scrape up a reply to that, Bailey stood up. Rather gracefully too. "Come on, let's get you back."

            It was hard, but Harley forced herself to follow a stranger back to safety.

            She avoided the forest for days afterward.