#koltastic

  paws pounding against snow laden ground. legs burning, pushing through heaps of white. fur snags on briars, undergrowth. piercing blue eyes feed on the sight of trees, the dark hues of black and green. a racing heart pounds in the chest of the beast, shaking muscles and tendons carry her forward through her home. unfamiliar— everything here is unfamiliar— smells like Human, putrid and sour. 

  a snout is stained in blood, clouding senses, muddling scents. the image of a half-torn carcass lays in the back of the mind, the scent of fresh kill lingers on her coat, but still she runs. claws break on fallen branches she fails to leap over, stumbling, a yelp escapes. teeth snap shut, muscles scream as she tears away from the snow drift and presses on. 

  winter— cold. ice clings to pelt, snow hugs whiskers, tips of ears. no growth to smell, no visible dirt for wolf-lengths and wolf-lengths. no prey alive in the snowy desert. no prey to feed hungry bellies at the Den. 

                         hunt —  

      i was interrupted by the Human alpha. the memory of scream he gave was enough to make her ears fall flat against her head. her body aches as she scrambles to get away, under the fence— pelt tears on vile, silver branches. she’s tangled, panicked. the smell of Human approaches. there are more Human calls, wild eyes grow wide when the faint smell of the Stick appears. brown pelts flood her mind, the yips of pups with full bellies is cloudy in her ears. heart roars on as she drags herself out from under the branches, body lurches, a cough escapes just as the Stick makes it’s first howl.

                        alert —

  there’s no time to howl to the others, not when she’s trying to hard to get away. dives under the snow, the only thing more overwhelming than the stench of Fire is her own fear scent. ribs press against tree bark as scent markers are mapped out ahead of her. she’s almost relieved, almost safe, but another howl cracks through the air. muscles stiffen, fur icy and wet as the beast guides herself deeper and deeper into her own territory. 

                        defend —

  the pawsteps of the Human are quicker than expected, bloody fangs are set and a growl strikes the chilly air. breath can be seen in the wind, smells drifting southward. unwind there’s something familiar. she’s headed towards her pack, towards her family. 

  pawsteps are louder. 

            but so is the Human. 

  turns tail, darts in the other direction, evading attacks. another crack, and another. 

  there’s a sharp pain on her left flank and she’s falling, tumbling. eyes shut tight, noise bruised and wet. covered in blood— she can’t see, can’t smell. ears flick from her battered position, the Human is growling, retreating. she lies perfectly still. but the Human scent does not go away— weakens, maybe, but not quite. teeth are bared, flank is torn. eyes cannot reach to see the damage but the bitter taste and smell of death is heavy on her tongue. blood pours from the wound— must survive— beta cannot protect, younglings must be preserved —

dainty pawsteps, small Human. eyes are wide, spine bends against the tree. somehow she’s found herself resting. panic swallows her, and the sight of delicate human skin causes a rush. 

                                     help me. 

  eyes close, a pitiful whine escapes, followed by an eager snarl. rage fills her chest, as does a swell of blood. eyes are open again, watching, sensing. she can’t remember— can’t hear what he’s saying —

  he’s whimpering, what’s the word— sympathy? 

          ‘ oh my god . ’

  she growls, claws digging into the ground so hard they touch dirt. pushes forward, inches closer. tail lashes against the ground, cat like. snaps once, twice. the Human’s stance is different than the other’s, calm. the stench of human flesh is strong, though. it’s been long since she’s tasted —

                                     i’m one of you. i’m 

  another whine, a chance to roll over onto her belly. she doesn’t submit to Humans. she doesn’t submit to rogues like this one. pain seizes her again and she lays her head down, a soft noise escaping, half-howl half-whimper. 

          ‘ it’s going to be okay . ‘

                                     why do i believe you? 

  inhales as he reaches towards her, inspection occurs. 

      You’re short for a grown male human. You aren’t dressed like you should be, your gloves are much too thin. The jacket you wear is only worth a few hours, your boots make too many tracks if you’re looking to be shadow. I’d expect you to be some sort of student, a researcher. You have beautiful eyes, hair too long for many females to fancy. When you pick me up, avoid the injured area, be gentle with my body— it’s small for an alpha, but my form is heavier than you might could— 

  the only thing keeping her paws from sprouting fingers is the excruciating pain in her flank. she starts to forget how to breathe, and stills her movement, finally showing the Human he’ll be allowed to take her. she lets out a chuff —you better fulfill your promise, Boy.