Freedom

The scent of other wolves hits you, sharp and sudden, pulling you instantly from your wolf-half’s joyful wandering. You freeze, every muscle tensed, ears swiveling. This forest felt safe moments ago, but now, the air is thick with a foreign pack's presence.

“Fiana! What have you done? How could you step into a pack land?” you mind-link your wolf, a frantic edge to your thoughts.

*"I- I don't know how Ara. I was just walking and admiring the forest. I didn't even slightly realize when we entered a pack territory."

“Whatever it is Fiana but we are deep trouble now. Let's get out of here,” you think back, scanning your surroundings wildly. You spot the faint line of the pack border nearby. If you run, fast, you might make it.

You lunge forward, shifting your weight, and burst into a sprint. But it's too late. Heavy pawsteps pound the ground behind you, gaining rapidly. You risk a glance back – two massive brown wolves are closing in. Shit!

You push harder, every fiber of your being screaming for speed. The border is agonizingly close. You prepare for the final leap, the one that could take you to safety, when a massive grey shape launches from the trees, slamming into you. You’re pinned instantly, the breath knocked out of your lungs.