CHP.2 - That's A Big Ass Wolf

My body immediately became more alert, the chance of a possible meal had my wolf perking up in excitement too. Dropping my bag underneath a nearby shrub I lowered my snout to the ground, taking in a deep inhale. The scent of a rabbit becoming more clear as I continued sniffing along the cold forest floor.

Sorting between the varying forest scents of dead tree debris and other forest animals I stalked toward the smell of my rabbit.

My ears perked up, ready and listening for the slightest noise. That's what made rabbits easy prey; they make so much noise it's almost hard to miss. After a few minutes of quite stalking I heard it; rustling.

I lowered my head, crouching my body even lower as I continued to move forward. Almost sliding along my belly as I stalked silently through the bushes. The thick leaves slowly began to think out as I neared a small cleaning. And in the very middle sat my target.

My rabbit.

It's little brown shape too occupied scratching through shrubbery that it hadn't noticed the large predator watching; She hadn't noticed me. My muscles coiled with built up power, ready to launch. My breathing slowed as I readied myself to pounce. Then I launched. My hind legs injecting me into the space.

The rabbit had no time to react before my jaws snapped shut around its neck. The satisyfing crunch of snapping bones was heard, before the metallic taste of warm blood washed over my taste buds. My wolf hummed at the feeling of a successful hunt.

I begun eating immediately, my body ravenous for food as it had been a little over three days since I last ate. The rabbit wasn't much, it wouldn't keep me full for long, but it was something. And in times like these everything counts. I devoured the rabbit in a few minutes, leaving only behind some bones.

The smell of my recently eaten catch would have travelled through the forest by now, and soon other predators will come lurking. Looking to snatch the remains. With my hunt completed I tracked back to retrieve my bag. I was nearing my location when I heard it.

The sound of a branch snapping.

I paused in my steps, my ears perked up, waiting for another sign of confirmation. Praying it was just my overactive imagination. My prayers were left un answered as another snap is heard. I spun towards the noise, my body crouched low, preparing for an attack. My instinct slowly becoming more feral as I allowed my wolf control. She had better survival instincts than me, and I knew she would do anything to escape.

Capture just wasn't an option for me.

Growling echoed around the small clearing as the bushes began to part, 8 wolves walking into the space before me. The lead wolf released another piercing growl. This growl was powerful, deep and full of dominance as it silenced the wolves stalking behind him. It was strong, not quite an Alpha, perhaps a Beta or a strong Delta. He snarled at me, his form emitted such dominance my wolf was ready to roll over in submission, I quickly took control from her before she did.

The sight of the group intimidated me. These weren't just any regular wolves that I had stumbled upon. These were warrior wolves. Large in stature with their grey pelts simmering in the morning sun, they were well groomed. And obviously, with their travelling formation, they were also well trained. Obviously, I couldn't out fight 8 of them and a Beta or Delta. My only chance was to tuck tail and run as fast as I could. It wasn't likely I would escape considering they seemed to have better nutrition and training.

But fuck, I would try.

With my plan set in my mind I turned on my heels and took off. My manoeuvre managed to catch them off guard as I could hear no immediate movement from the group. Until a snarl was heard and they all launched after me at once.

My surprise move had given me a good head start, thirty meters maybe. Maybe enough for me to loose them.

A loud howl was heard from behind me. It was a signal howl, a howl meant to tell others of my location. Meaning there are more wolves out in the woods. Shaking my head, I didn't let my thoughts distract me.

I focused on my running, keeping my speed at a high level, pushing myself to go faster. I had the advantage of surprise, my only advantage was they didn't know my next move. Because of this I was trying to stay as unpredictable as possible. Continuously changing paths, going under branches, and over shrubs.

My only hope was they would eventually tire out. These warrior wolves were built for fighting, not for running and chasing. The pounding of their footsteps began to grow softer and softer. Signalling they were running out of steam. Hope started to blossom in my chest, I could get away. They weren't going to catch me.

Until another howl was heard. Except this one.

This one.

Was right in front of me.

I halted in my tracks, trying to think of the best route around the wolf that appeared to be in my route. But he was closer than I anticipated. The wolf stepped out from behind a tree, ten meters from my location. His black pelt was littered with scars, lots and lots of little scars. He was missing the top half of his left ear, with three noticeably large scars extending from his right shoulder to his lower left chest.

Standing around 6"0 he was the largest wolf I had ever encountered in my life. His body was pure muscle, honed to construct the perfect killing machine.

This wolf was powerful, and my hope of escape nearly shattered as I scanned his stature.

Nearly.

He sent a warning growl to me. This growl was nothing I had ever experienced before. It was deep, oozed authority and would bring any Alpha I had ever met to their knees. My wolf was whining in my head, she was begging me to submit, her nature pushing her to give in to the dominant wolf . But I just couldn't. I hadn't been on the run for 4 years to simply be caught by one over-sized puppy.

No matter how big he was.

I spun on my heels making a dash for my right, but before I could even get a few steps a sharp pain blossomed in my left leg. I felt my muscles snap as his teeth sunk into my lower calf, shredding the ligaments and nerves that were held in that area. Weirdly though, I also felt a low electric sensation that sent my hormones into haywire.

I tumbled to the ground, snarling. My head was tossing and turning, snapping in his direction trying to get a bite in. I refused to go down without a fight. I pulled my leg from his strong hold, tearing more flesh in the process, causing more blood to spurt from the wound as it grew more painful.

I ignored the pain and spun quickly, he wasn't expecting my move as my teeth made contact with his left shoulder. I snapped my jaw shut, immediately breaking skin and shredding his shoulder muscle. He growled in pain. His front claw projected forward and into the soft skin of my underbelly. Fortunately they didn't go deep, just enough to cause me to bleed and momentarily distract me, my jaw laxing slightly, allowing him to remove his shoulder from my hold.

He launched his attack again, his large frame pushing me into the ground, his teeth wrapped securely around my throat. He applied enough pressure to let me know just how easily he could snap it, but still soft enough that he was giving me the chance to submit.

I had to decide. Die or submit. I didn't want to be captured, but I hadn't survived my past for it to end here on the forest floor to some unknown wolf. I would play smart, play submissive and the first chance I had. I would bolt.

I relaxed my muscles, moving my neck slightly more upwards and released a low whine. The ultimate submission. It made me want to vomit.

He released my throat before lifting his head up and releasing a long victory howl. There was an immediate response of multiple howls. He stepped off my limp body to allow me to rise. His muscles were still tense however, as if he was expecting me to run again. Smart boy.

The longer we sat the more the pain in my leg grew, as my adrenaline began to slowly dissipate.

I could still feel the warm flow of blood trickling through my fur as I looked down to inspect it. The wound was ugly, the skin was open and hanging from when I ripped it from his teeth, leaving the muscle underneath exposed. A sudden gust of wind had me grinding my teeth to try and ignore the sting of the wind caressing over it.

My underbelly still stung a little bit in the areas where his large paws had managed to nick me slightly. Large yet slim scratch marks leaked out more of the precious red liquid but I could already feel the cuts beginning to knit themselves together.

Feeling eyes on me I looked up to see him also inspecting my wounds. My wounds which were inflicted by his own paws and teeth. He knew they were his fault yet his eyes held no emotion or remorse.

But what did I expect, I was a rouge who had trespassed on his land. I shouldn't be expecting any emotion except hate and hostility. Yet my wolf wanted other emotions from him, I shook her emotions away in confusion. She was probably just lonely.

His bright eyes eventually rose up to meet my unblinking state. We sat there for a few minutes. Simply staring at each other, waiting for his reinforcements to arrive. He knew I couldn't run with my calf torn to such a degree, and he knew I had realised it too. I wouldn't escape, yet.

The large wolves whom I recognised as my previous chasers emerged from shrubs behind me, forcing me to break eye contact with the wolf I was facing as I craned my neck to analysis them. The group entered the clearing with hostility. Their shackles raised and teeth bared at me. Obviously not happy I had evaded them in their own pack lands.

With ease I might add.

I put on the most smug face my wolf snout could muster. The entrance of the hostile wolves had cause a change of emotion within her. She had moved from loenly and needy, to fierce, ready to pounce on anyone of them should they challenge her. While I was in two minds.

I was projecting confidence on the outside yet underneath I was slightly quivering. These males had caught me, and if they identified my gender before I was able to escape. Then who knows what might happen to me. I pushed the grim thoughts to the side of my mind.

I had evaded males for 4 years, I would evade them once more.

You couldn't afford to be scared in situations like these. Fear got you killed.

The asshole moved from behind me and approached the group with his head held high. His wolf was physically the biggest, and I pondered what the human inside would be like. Would he be as much of a scared brute as his wolf?

The groups attention slipped from me and onto the large wolf approaching them. Not one made a noise, all showing immense respect. Then it clicked.

He was their Alpha. The asshole was not just an Alpha in physique, he had his own pack.

Not sure how I didn't put two and two together before considering we were waiting for them to arrive.

The group seemed to be having a pep talk from their Alpha through the mind-link as they all seemed to nod their head at what he was saying. The group turned to face me, while the Alpha craned his head to look at me. And with the subtlest of movements motioned his nose in a forward motion.

The messaged was conveyed. I was to follow.