HAVEN
Running was nothing new to me, but this time, I knew there was no way out. Still, I kept going. I ran, clutching the folds of my white dress tightly in my fists, the fabric catching on branches as I pushed through the forest. My breath came in quick, uneven bursts as my heart thudded hard against my ribs, that it hurt. With every step, fear gnawed at me, but I dared not slow down. I bet no one would in this kind of situation.
Behind me, three wolves followed. The leading one was black as midnight, the second was as grey as storm clouds, and the last was pure white like fresh snow. They weren't snarling or snapping their jaws, and there was no flash of teeth meant to frighten me. No, their chase was deliberate and patient, holding back their full speed.
I knew they weren't trying to harm me, but rather to wear me down. I had been fleeing from danger, from people, from things I could never face head-on. So, even if I was going to die, it wouldn't be because I surrendered to them.
My legs ached with every stride, but I pushed forward. I dodged fallen logs and slid across loose patches of earth. The sky above was already turning grey.
I know what many would be thinking, why not shift and run in my wolf form since it's faster? Not like I couldn't. Well, I couldn't at the moment, because my wolves weren't answering me. I knew perfectly well why, but there was no time to think about that.
Darkness closed in around me as time went by, swallowing the last traces of light. Nevertheless, that did not stop me, especially since I could still hear the damn wolves chasing.
As they say, every journey has its end, and mine came to a finish at the edge of a cliff. For a wolf, jumping from such heights was no problem, but my wolves seemed to have gone on a strike, so I had no choice but to make a brief stop. Behind me were the three beings I wanted to escape from, and in front of me was death awaiting. I had to make a choice.
I stepped back five paces from the edge, then sprinted forward and leapt. The wind tore at my hair and my dress, and in that freefall, I closed my eyes, bracing for the pain, as I dived back into the very situation that had forced me into this misfortune.
Three months ago…
I had lived in silence for years. My voice, along with my parents, were stolen from me when I was five, as was every shred of safety I knew. The Rogues, werewolves who had no particular pack or those cast out, were the genesis of my misery. It was not uncommon for them to attack packs, but what I never imagined was that my parents and I would fall victim to them. My throat was slit, but I was lucky to survive, though I became mute.
And now, I, myself, was a Rogue. Ironic, isn't? Not because I wanted to become one, but because no family member of mine could keep me after my parents' demise. I was the unwanted stray, passed from one home to another until I stopped letting anyone try. I ran away from my mom's cousin's home, moving from one forest to another, never staying longer than a month. Back then, I was a fifteen years old wolfless teeanger with nowhere to belong.
It has been four years since then, and now I'm a nineteen years old girl trying to survive in the dense forests of the world.
I took a deep breath and stepped into an unfamiliar forest. The sun was already setting, and I knew this would be my new habitat for the next month… or maybe even less.
'This place seems strange and too quiet. Don't you think?' I mentally asked the three beings I could speak to without needing a voice, my wolves. Note, not wolf, but wolves. Yes, I had three wolves which was indeed strange but not to me now: Snow, who was the first to come to life, then Grey, and last, Onyx. This was a mystery I never thought I would ever solve in this lifetime. I was a mystery myself.
'I think so too. Should we leave?'
'It's not that bad, though it does feel odd.'
'We should stay.'
The three of them replied simultaneously.
'Alright. Let's not start arguing right now,' I intervened, knowing fully well these three would definitely start their unending bickering. As wolf spirits residing in one body, they were supposed to get along, but they were as different as heaven and hell.
Snow was the most cheerful and always agreed with what I said. Grey was balanced, but when necessary, she would argue as well. Onyx was the quietest, and as you know, the silent ones are often the most dangerous. Most of the time, Onyx was sleeping, but when she took over, someone always ended up crying. She didn't just love danger, she was danger itself.
'Let's stay here for now. If I sense the slightest danger, we'll leave right away,' I decided, moving deeper into the forest.
'Okay.'
'Hmm.'
'Whatever.'
Their replies overlapped again, each dripping with their unique personality.
My senses were on high alert as I ventured farther into the forest. As I had said, the place was too quiet for a forest. From what I had learned, a forest at sunset should be alive with the sound of birds, insects, and wolves calling to each other. But here, there was nothing. Nevertheless, I pushed on, trying to find a suitable place to spend the night. And I did.
The sound of running water drew me foward. Snow and I were the most excited, Grey merely appreciated it, while Onyx… remained Onyx. I found a wide, flowing river. It had been a long time since I'd had a nice swim, and without further thought, I stripped off the only simple white dress I owned. I was barefoot, too.
I stepped into the cold water, taking one step after another until I was submerged up to just above my twin peaks.
'This feels so nice,' I said inwardly, and only Snow replied with a hum.
**
It was night, and I had finally found a place to spend the night. The cave I came across was not too big, but it was enough for me to snuggle inside and feel safe for a while. I sat down on the cold ground, leaning against the uneven wall, and began munching on some wild fruits I had gathered earlier. The taste was not sweet, but it filled my stomach, and that was all that mattered.
When I had eaten enough and felt a little satisfied, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. It was then that I spoke in my mind, calling out to my wolves.
"Do you want to go for a run before we drift to sleep?" I asked them because I knew how much they loved the night air and the freedom of running.
Snow was the first to reply, her voice bright and eager. "I don't mind."
Grey followed after a pause with her usual sound. "Mm."
As for Onyx, well, either she had already fallen into one of her deep sleep or she simply chose to remain silent as always. I knew her well enough to guess it was the second option.
I stood up and began pulling off my dress and then my undies, because there was no way I could transform with them on. My bare skin felt the cool air of the cave, and then I asked, "Ready?"
Snow immediately shouted in excitement. "Yes, yes!"
Grey replied with nothing more than another "Mm," and I could almost imagine her rolling her eyes at Snow's energy. I thought about calling out to Onyx too, but I knew better than to disturb her unless she wanted to come out herself.
I peeked outside the cave carefully, scanning every corner for movement. When I was sure all was clear, I stepped outside. The night was still oddly quiet but I brushed off any lingering fear, convincing it was just another mystical place. I went down on one knee and let go of myself, and instantly, the transformation began. My bones shifted, my body stretched, and thick fur spread over me. In a blink, I was no longer myself but a snow-white wolf.
Snow was large, and her golden eyes gleamed like fire under the darkness. She tilted her head, then made a long howl that echoed across the silent forest before she sprinted forward.
She ran with all her strength weaving between trees, enjoying the wind rushing against her fur. She did not wander too far, maybe just a little, but still not enough to risk getting lost. Maybe it was because forests had always been our favorite places, and none of us would ever mind being lost in them.
Half an hour passed before she finally slowed down and stopped. She raised her head as her chest heaved, and her tail swayed slightly.
"Snow, are you satisfied?" I asked gently.
"It's fine for now," she replied with a calm voice but still carrying that lively spark of hers.
So, I shifted back into my human form, and stood there in the quiet forest, the cold air brushing against my bare skin. I added quickly, "Grey, it's your turn now."
And Grey stepped out. Just like her name, she was grey in colour, and her eyes were golden too. She did not waste time with words. She only gave a soft growl before she took over completely.
She ran as well, her paws pressing into the ground with more weight than Snow's. Her style was less playful but more controlled. Half an hour passed again, and she began heading back towards the cave.
But then, not so far from the cave, she stopped abruptly. My heart skipped a beat.
Without waiting for me to ask anything, Grey spoke, "I sense someone."
She moved forward slowly with her body bent low, her paws making no sound as she slipped into battle-ready mode. Hiding behind thick bushes, Grey finally caught sight of a group of people.
"Hunters," I said in a worried voice.
They carried arrows and guns, and I knew very well those weapons were coated with wolfsbane. One touch of it could bring down even the strongest Alpha. I had never come in contact with wolfsbane before, but I had seen wolves killed by it. The memory alone made my stomach twist.
"Hide, Grey. Leave quietly before they..."
I was yet to finish when one of the hunters shouted loudly, "There it is!"
Grey did not wait for another reminder. Instantly, she spun around and ran. The hunters followed with their angry voices shouting, while arrows and bullets shot through the air.
Grey evaded swiftly, leaping aside, ducking low, turning sharp corners.
The hunters chased, but Grey was faster, much faster. After all, they were mere humans, and there was no way they could match the speed of a wolf. For a moment, it seemed like we would escape.
But luck was not on our side. When Grey leapt across a small clear area, something lifted us off the ground. It was a trap net.
Grey growled loudly while her teeth sank into the ropes, and her claws scratched furiously but the net was thick, designed for this very purpose.
"It's okay, Grey. Calm down," I told her firmly though fear shook my own voice.
Just then, Onyx's dangerous voice cut in, "Shift. Let me take over."
I obeyed instantly. My body shifted back to human form for a brief moment, then in less than five seconds, Onyx took over.
Her transformation was different. More like fierce and violent. Her body burst into shape, black as the darkness surrounding us. Her eyes burned golden mixed with red, a frightening glow that made even me too shiver sometimes. She was larger than both Snow and Grey.
Onyx let out a loud howl, so powerful it shook through the trees. Just at that moment, the hunters arrived, surrounding us, with their weapons raised.
But Onyx was not the kind to back down.
With one swipe of her massive claws, she tore through the net as if it were nothing, ripping it apart with ease. She landed firmly on the ground, her fangs bared and her claws protruded. Every muscle in her body ready to kill. I could equally feel her bloodlust.
The hunters, though seemingly frightened, aimed their arrows and guns at her.
And Onyx, standing tall and dark, faced them without fear, her growl rumbling like thunder in the night.