I hate that Grant was right. I'm starting to get too tired.
The evening air is perfect for a run. A gentle breeze brushes across my fur, moving all around me until it chooses to continue its course.
I think about running for a second, trying to catch that feeling across my skin again, but I decide against it.
Grant would’ve come to see me by now. I know he's nowhere near the woods, which makes how I'm feeling even worse. I miss him so much already. All I want to do is be back in the house, tangled up in the sheets together.
I begin to miss the feeling of having my mate next to me. My body craves his so much, and I'm not sure how much longer I can survive without him.
Eventually, this longing becomes way too much. It is almost painful to be apart from Grant. That's when I realize that what may be hurting right now is my current form.
Every single part of my body aches. My joints feel like they've suddenly become too weak even to support me.
The hunger grows, gnawing constantly on my insides. I can't stay like this for much longer. I already know my body is about to collapse.
I move across the woods, traveling as slowly as possible, trying to conserve whatever energy I have left.
Suddenly, the forest doesn’t seem as welcoming anymore. The sky is still bright, though, which doesn't make my situation as bad as it could be.
I search the area, realizing that I'm pretty far away from the pack house right now. It's going to take quite a bit to get back in my current state. I'm not sure I'll be able to do sobefore it gets too dark.
Still, my time in the woods is coming to an end, so I begin the journey. Hunger plays with me, making me feel very dizzy as I walk.
My senses are beginning to dull, and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep myself awake or in my wolf form. I think about just giving in and transforming, but it will be too painful, and then I'll end up stuck in the woods in my human form.
I stumble around, unsure I'm heading in the proper direction. Soon, a scent fills my nose, something I haven't perceived before. I'm not sure what it is, but I can tell it's some kind of animal. Still, pretty strong to be just one.
Maybe a quick meal will help with my strength.
I turn around, following the scent, ready to pounce on whatever I see coming in that direction. The scent grows closer, like we'll meet up soon.
My mouth waters in anticipation of fresh food after almost an entire day of consuming nothing. I can already imagine the taste of flesh in my mouth.
This gives me the little motivation I need to keep going, pushing myself along the trail with my nose in the air. I pause suddenly as all my senses feel heightened. It doesn't take long for me to realize what this means.
I'm in danger.
Deep yellow eyes shine through the trees, quickly followed by a dirty black body. A wolf steps out into the open and keeps his eyes on me. Istumble, realizing that I can't feel anything from him. That's when it hits me.
That's a real wolf.
There's no humanity behind the wolf's eyes. It bares its fangs, recognizing that I'm not one of its own, even though I'm in my wolf form.
I take a step back, looking for an avenue of escape. I'm too tired and I'm not sure I can outrun a wolf. My only choice is to fight.
I take my ready stance, looking for an opening to attack. The wolf howls, sending its voice through the woods. Everything becomes quiet, and the fear in my body rises. Soon, I figure out why.
More wolves step out into the open, enough for an entire pack. They must've migrated into this area, or I've simply run too far and left safety.
Fighting is no longer one of my options. All I can do now is run for my life, and that's exactly what I do. I turn around and bolt, using all the strength left in my frail body.
Fear helps the adrenaline kick in, and I'm a good distance away before the wolves give chase. However, the wolves are unrelenting.
They run after me at full speed, making me feel slow in comparison. I dig my claws into the ground, painfully propelling myself forward. My body feels like it's about to shred into a million pieces, but if I let that happen, it's certain death.
Still running, I chance a look behind me. I don't see the wolves, but I can hear them and smell them. They're not far off. If I take more than a few seconds to rest, they'll be on my tail immediately.
I lose all sense of direction as I try to escape. The whole world seems to be spinning around me, but all I can do is concentrate on not stumbling or landing on my face. They would be on me instantly.
