Run. It’s all I told myself. Run. I sprinted through the forest, paws pounding against the ground as I jumped over logs and avoided brambles. Behind me, twigs snapped as another wolf followed me. I could hear its heavy breathing as we made it into a small clearing. The distance between us closed, the wolf jumping up onto my back, bringing me down to the ground. I snarled at him, not giving up easily. Kicking out with my powerful back legs, I pushed him off and scrambled up, assuming a defensive stance. I watched as the wolf circled me with a growl, watching my every move. It lunged at me but I moved to the side, a playful smile terribly hidden on my muzzle. The wolf snarled, a low sound reverberating in its throat, as it lunged to the right. I moved left but it was a fake. The wolf’s jaws snapped around my right back leg. I struggled pointlessly against the wolf as it bit down, the bone snapping cleanly with a sharp noise. I howled with pain and collapsed to the ground, trying not to move my back leg. Fighting the nausea, I tried to get back up but couldn’t. The wolf stepped towards me, placing its snout on top of my head, forcing me to bow it. The wolf shifted, a tall teenager now standing in front of me.
“Was it that hard?” he asked, kneeling down besides me. I nodded as he picked me up, settling me in his arms. I whimpered slightly but let him carry me. He began walking quietly back the way he had chased me, following the trail of trampled plants.
I watched the forest scenery change into a wide clearing, a large manor coming into view. It had red clay roof tiles and a tan stucco exterior, four floors towering over the clearing. People, different shifters actually, walked around some aimlessly. With my acute hearing, I could hear excited shouts and large splashes coming from the back. I watched as the Alpha and the Luna walked forward, dominance rolling off them gently. The boy carrying me stopped, bowing his head in respect as my parents approached. Yes, my parents. I was the Alpha’s daughter.