ra

ra

wanted me dead and he sent me out here with guards who were probably told to kill me but instead they

nd tree branches scratched my face and arms but I did not slow down. I needed dist

through the tr

someone was tracking me. More howls answered the first and they were

Every rustle of leaves felt like a predator's step, every breath too loud in the heavy silence. I tried to move, but fear rooted me to the spot. Whoever

n fa

g was not an option. I had evidence and I had my mother's journal and someone n

moving. A river appeared ahead and I could hear the water rushing over rocks and for a second I con

e my scent. The howls were so close now I could hear paws hitting the ground

eared in f

w eyes and saliva dripped from its bared teeth. It was not from my pack and the s

just passing through. I

tep closer. I backed up until

wolfless. See? No wolf. Just let me

nd the first and they circled me slowly. I

e. I was running from my pack and I did not reali

y wolf

ut on empty air and I scrambled to my feet and ran again but I was not fast

go for a second and I rolled away and my hand closed around a rock. I swung it as hard

aked through my pants and the metallic smell filled my nose an

always carried. It was meant for cutting food and openi

then drove the knife up into its throat. Hot blood sprayed across my face

wolf's body twitched weakly at my feet before going still. I wiped my face with the back of my hand, but the warmth of the blood clung stubbornly to my skin. My ea

lled

led a

at their dead packmate. I pulled the knife free and it drippe

not want to kill anyone els

an I was worth. It grabbed the dead wolf by the scruff and started dragging it a

the knife still clutched in my shaking fingers. My leg throbbed and when I looked do

omewhere safe to treat the wound before I bled out. I ripped a strip of fabric from my shirt and

g and twisting between the trees. I forced myself to breathe slowly, fighting the dizziness creeping into my head. Staying still meant dying, and I refused to end

d myself. "Get

in. My vision swam and black spots danced at the ed

t need to survive a little longer. Just

omewhere back where the first wolf attacked and I did not have the strength to go find it so I left it

walking in circles or making progress. My leg gave out and I fell

knew I was dying but I tried one more time to st

d me and I collapsed

er meant for