Cold. Alone. Scared.
In some ways, I'm accustomed to being by myself. I had always enjoyed my small space in my small room. It was nice when I wanted to be lost in thought when I wanted to practice my reading it was just a space I love in my home. However, this situation and these feelings were much different. I didn't have a pack a room away, I didn't have an Alpha that ensured everyone's safety and happiness. No, now I only had myself.
The sun had risen and I had yet to venture out from under my fallen tree. I was hungry, thirsty, and the morning air came with a chill that did nothing to warm my still damp body. I had never truly seen the outdoors during the day before. It was scary and I refused to look past the small opening. Fear controlled me. I knew I was in Cat territory too. Not only was I trespassing but I wasn't sure where to go from here. I had never been in a situation like this and I had no idea where to start figuring it out.
Instinct said to lay low. My wolf was still mourning, but he too felt the unease that came with our current situation. All night I had fought the urge to howl out my sorrow. If I'd shifted I'm sure in place of howls it would have been sobbing. My backside throbbed and though the cold waters from the night before had soothed it, I was still in a lot of pain. The wound on my neck also ached. They were my reminders, my brand.
I curled in tighter to myself and whimpered. I wanted to go back and ask for forgiveness, but there was no going back after what had happened. Unless Kain sought me out I would never be allowed to return. If I were to ever get a second chance I would obey, I would learn to speak since they seemed to have desired that from me. I would be a better Omega. I wanted to accept the pack they offered. I also wanted my old Alpha too. I wanted to be greedy, but greed and desire brought me to my current situation. I took kindness for granted and Karma had made herself known.
I closed my eyes, urging the overwhelming need to howl aside. I didn't need to draw attention to myself while I was in unknown territory. Levi's face came to mind and her comforting hands. She was who I missed the most, but thinking of Kain and his dead mate made my heart ache.
I closed my eyes against my self pitying thoughts.
Crunch
I stilled, ears perking slightly to hone in on the noise, eyes now wide with fear. I felt my heart rate increase.
Was I found?
There was more rustling from somewhere around the fallen tree. I had slightly covered the entrance of my small burrow before the sun had come up, to help hide my secret den. I had also rolled in some dead leaves in hopes to aid in dulling my scent. My wolf had urged me to do it and I complied.
I held my breath as footsteps crunched on leaves. I took a silent sniff of the air. More alarm bells rang in my head. Danger. Whatever was out there, it wasn't something I wanted to get caught by, but I was trapped. I knew it had to be a Cat. I was still on their territory. I knew nothing about their customs, and the only thing I knew about them was that the came in different species, unlike us wolves.
The rustling continued for what felt like hours. There would be shuffling close to the entrance, and then it would fade away just to return. My blood was hammering in my veins, my heart feeling as if it would pound right out of my chest. I was good at being silent. I had practiced for years so that I appeased to the rules but if Cats had as good of hearing as wolves than I knew it would find me sooner rather than later. My Alpha had always said that the loudest part about me was my heart.
Seconds ticked by, slowly, much too slowly. After a few more tense movements the sounds all stopped. I could smell whatever it had been all around my little hole. It was still unclear to me if they had left or not. I stayed alert, the smell was still there, too fresh to be safe.
That's how I spent the remainder of my day. It wasn't safe here. Sleeping wasn't safe, leaving wasn't safe, I had to figure out where I was going and how far I'd need to go before I was on neutral ground.
Once the sun set the urge to use the bathroom grew to be too much. The space was too small to relieve myself in, not only that but it would be covered in my smell alerting anyone I didn't want to find me to have a trial.
I was still uncomfortable leaving but the forest had come alive after the sun had set. Bugs were chirping, filling the night with their music. It set my mind at ease hearing their prideful songs. Squeezing myself out of the small makeshift den I couldn't help but wince at the pain in my rear and stiffness in my body. It had eased up but I was yet to be fully healed, and staying in one spot all day hadn't helped matters.
I kept my head low as I looked around the clearing, ears perched high on top of my head listening for any sounds that would indicate danger. My body trembled in fear, eyes wide as I continue to glance around. Trees made up the majority of the space I occupied. A few were fallen in a similar fashion to the tree I had taken refuge under. The Moon did little to light up the dense area.
Nothing indicated danger and my musical friends continued their nightly songs.
Carefully I started moving away from my hideout. I decided that would walk a good distance and find a safe place to relieve myself. I wasn't sure if I'd come back to this spot but just in case I wanted to be far enough away to not attract attention. I also wanted to find something to roll in that would better mask my scent.
As I made my way out, I took notice of the trees. A few of them had claw marks. Stopping I stared.
They didn't look old.
Bringing my nose closer I took in the scent. Instinct cried danger but the smell was old. It was a clear territory indicator. I knew it was a warning for anyone to see. A warning I ignored, but I would try to leave. I didn't want to be caught and cause trouble. Stepping away from the tree I glanced around noticing several trees having a similar marking. It was intimidating.
Taking a sniff of the air to get a better idea of where I was, I could smell the faint scent of water. The way u had come last night. Deciding that the river was my best option to aid in covering my scent and getting out of the territory unnoticed I made my way towards it.
As I came upon the river I noticed a lot of the trees were more roughly torn up. Their trunks were stripped bare of heir bark and upon closer inspection, it seemed like the jagged marks came from something that was angry.
I hadn't noticed it before but now I froze. It was too silent. The bugs had stopped chirping. All of my senses were on high alert. The air shifted ever so slightly and I suddenly felt eyes on me. My fur trembled. I didn't move, didn't breathe. I allowed my eyes to scan the trees, nothing. Lifting my head slightly I took in a small whiff of the air, I was in a compromising position if, whatever it was, stood downwind from me.
I shifted my stance, so I could get a better view from my rear. I knew there was someone in the trees. I wasn't sure who but the hairs on my body stood on end.
Snap.
My head snapped to the side and I let out a deep and unsettling growl, a warning. My wolf was only slightly stirring. His interest in the possible threat peaking.
I had no protection, but instinct said to stand my ground. There was no need to run if it wasn't a threat.
A roar sounded over my pitiful growl, stunning me. That was no wolf. Tentatively I took a step back, still unsure of where the sounds were coming from. Panic wanted to seize me. How did things go wrong so quickly?
More rustling and I was quick to move my body to face the sounds. It had come directly from my right, downwind. How long had I been followed for? There was no telling.
The dark night created shadows that my vision couldn't see past. The figure was large and its shape was one I had been hoping to not see.
I was trembling. The figure continued to come closer, and as it finally reached a ray of moonlight I couldn't prevent my bodies natural response from taking a few steps back. My tail curled up under me. My wolf was at full attention now. He didn't like what he saw either.
A large black Cat stood in front of us. It was easily the same size as Alpha Kain. His fur was black and his eyes glowed a fierce green. His lips were drawn back into a snarl showcasing long sharp canines. Canines that could easily rip until my flesh. I shivered at the thought. The Cat continues to close in on me and as he walked his body exhibited stealth and strength. Movements made no sound, he had wanted me to hear him before. His tail that seemed just as long as his body swished angrily as he started to circle me.
My body followed his movements, instinct telling me to not show him my rear. If this Cat wanted to kill me, it wouldn't take much.
I growled low, hoping if I sounded strong it would deter anymore advances. The Cat responded with its own growl and a snort. Almost mocking me for my feeble attempt. I lowered myself to the ground in hopefully a universal submission position. My ears were back and I whined. I didn't want any trouble. I just wanted to leave.
I closed my eyes prepared for an onslaught of attacks. Instead, I heard cracking, indicating a shift.
"Why the fuck are you here?" I didn't raise my head nor did I make an effort to shift. My wolf didn't seem keen on it, and after everything that happened, listening to him seemed like the better option.
The Cat growled and then I felt a clawed hand grab the back of my scruff and pulled me up to face him. I yelped a little but didn't resist.
He was handsome. His slightly slanted eyes a nice forest green almost resembling the color in his shifted form stared at me. They looked unamused.
"So the new guy throws out the little Omega?" His chuckle was deep. "And even more," I watched in horrified shock as his free hand yanked my head to the side, showcasing the brand of shame. "He brands you!" I wanted to growl at the way he spoke. He was amused by my situation. Did Cats not have a similar exile? Did he not know the humiliation I wore?
I felt a lump form in my throat. I wanted to howl out my sorrow. I wanted to bite the Cat for making light of this situation and turn back time. His hand on my scruff loosened and he dropped me back to the ground.
"It's a pity. I could have used you better if you weren't marked." He rested his hands on his hips. Looking up I got a good look at his body. Unlike Kain who was bulky, this Cat was leaner. He had the muscle definition but his body looked more flexible and agile. He sported slightly long blond hair and was sleeked back from him running his hands through it. His slanted eyes and sharp features truly gave him a fierce predatory look that frightened me.
"Come on now, shift. I want to see what I get to play with." Play with? What did he mean? My wolf didn't like this situation, and we backed up. It was becoming clear that he wouldn't let me go now that he had me. I needed to figure out a way to escape. I wasn't sure how long it would take for him to shift, but it may give me enough time to jump across the river and run. I glanced behind me at the river. I was in a good position, the river wasn't too wide and I probably wouldn't have much trouble jumping,
"Don't even think about it." Before I could react his clawed hand shot out and gripped my scruff again dragging me back to him. His sharp nails digging into my flesh. "Come on, we will do this at the house." With his words, he started to drag me.
My wolf roared and before I could consider preventing what happened next my wolf latched onto the arm dragging us. Blood gushed into my mouth has my canines sunk into flesh. I yanked my head side to side trying to force his release of my scruff.
"Fucking fleabag." He snarled at me before dropping me to the ground. The moment I was free I lunged to the side. Sadly I felt his hands grab onto my flank and yank me back until I was on the ground.
"Bite me again you little bastard and I'll pull out every single tooth." His threat was filled with promises. I stilled. I wanted to continue to fight but it was no use. Though my cure caused a little damage I could already tell it was healing.
"You will follow me." His demand was absolute. My wolf felt defeat again.
I could feel his anxiety.
I felt my own panic.
"Let's find out what you know." He started walking and I blindly followed, unwilling to risk upsetting another shifter.
I didn't know anything, but images of Alpha came to mind and of Kain and his mate. Would this Cat expect me to tell him all that I knew?
What did he even want from me?
How was he going to play with me?
The unknown was scary and I knew I was walking with the devil.
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