Staring At Death

Alexandra

I rushed into the tree line, bolting through thick trees and leaping over sticks and boulders that lay on the forest floor, careful to remain deathly silent. One single creak could alarm a guard on patrol duty who would undoubtedly drag me back to Alpha Axton for punishment. My mind raced to all the shifters that had been considered traitors to the pack that I had seen brutally murdered in the town square; made an example of for various pack crimes.

The echo of a tree branch breaking made me freeze in my tracks, pushing my body up against a tree, desperate not to be noticed. I stilled my breathing, mustering all of my strength to stay still. My body instantly relaxed when a baby deer flew through the forest, not paying much attention to me. I took a deep breath and continued zigzagging through the forest, hopeful that if there was anyone out here that they would lose my scent. The full moon shined brightly through the trees onto the forest floor illuminating my path but also providing me with a strange sense of faith. Faith that maybe I would be alright if I could just get out of Shadow Pack territory.

As I approached the northwest corner of the forest, I noticed a brown wolf pacing impatiently in the clearing. I gasped when he looked in my direction, dropping my body flat onto the forest floor. I was unsure of who the patrol guard was that I was expected to meet, nervous that I had just run into the wrong guard and sealed my own fate. An annoyed low voice echoed through the trees, “I already caught your scent, get up. How the fuck does Marilyn expect you to last in no man’s land?”

I quickly shot up onto my feet and slowly approached the man that had shifted during the time I was face down on the forest floor. I made sure to keep my eyes glued onto the floor, careful not to further aggravate the guard. He rushed behind a nearby tree, pulling out small red velvet pouch and returning in front of me. I could feel him shaking his head before he heaved a sigh, “that prick really did a number on you, you can look at me. I’m only a guard Alexandra”. My gaze raised slowly from the dirt floor until it met his soft gray eyes. He was an older shifter, soft wrinkles were already starting to form on his face. He carried a fatherly aura making me feel somewhat safe in his presence.

“We’re already running out of time. Marilyn told me that you haven’t shifted in some time but it is absolutely vital that you do if you wish to stay alive. The rogues in no man’s land are savages. Continue on the left side of the river, do not steer from the path. Most importantly Alexandra, do not go near Crescent Moon territory. Crescent Moon does not tolerate the trespassing of rogues and once you leave Shadow Pack territory, you will become a rogue. Luna Sarah will be waiting for you in the ravine,” he scolded with fear present in his soft grey eyes.

I nodded, nerves began to creep up my body causing me to shiver at the thought of leaving Shadow Pack. Shadow Pack was all I really knew, it was all I knew since my own pack was ravaged all those years ago. He placed the small velvet pouch he had retrieved and reached for my hand, placing it in my palm. “In case you run into trouble, there is some money in here. I’ll pray for you Alexandra, “ he continued staring intently deep into my eyes.

“T-thank you, thank you so much for helping me,” I stuttered out to the man who was risking his life by trying to give me a better one. “Hurry along,” he whispered.

Without looking back at him, I ran through the clearing until I found the pack border. I crouched down beside a large log, looking in both directions for any nearby guards or lingering eyes. I reached into my pocket and tightly gripped the emerald necklace that Luna Fraya had gifted me, knowing that somehow she was here with me right now. I gathered whatever courage I had inside of me and bolted through the territory lines, refusing to stop until I was far enough away from Shadow Moon borders and the man that plagued my nightmares, Alpha Axton.

My chest burned fiercely as I struggled to keep running, the fear of rogues urging my body to keep running. My feet pounded against the forest floor, trembling in pain. I knew I would have to attempt to shift soon, the journey was dangerous but the thought of the pain from my bones breaking apart made me feel like I was going to throw up. A few more miles, I kept telling myself as I pushed my body to keep going, reminding myself of all Marilyn, Luna Sarah and the guard who had all sacrificed so much for me. There was no going back, only moving forwards.

The moonlight bounced off my face as I finally slowed down and pressed my body weight against an oak tree, my breathing slowing down as I struggled to catch my breath. I was already deep in no man’s land, the smell of old blood burned my nose and the feeling of danger looming thick in the air. I contemplated shifting, but again found myself making up excuses that a few more miles and I would attempt to, praying that my wolf would surface from where she was buried deep down inside of me.

I continued running with all my strength, careful not to be loud as I dashed through the trees. The cool breeze prinked against my skin when my dress ripped against a tree branch leaving a gaping cut on my torso. Beads of sweat ran down my forehead, my body unsure of how much farther it could go. I debated giving up, throwing myself against the forest floor and waiting to be ravaged by a rogue. I knew they were nearby, I could hear the howls of wolves deep in the forest. I could feel the sun beginning to rise, the forest slowly getting warmer from its strong rays against the trees.

Just when I was certain that I couldn’t push myself any more, the sound of running water perked my wolf up inside. I crawled towards the river, splashing the ice cold water against my face then attempting to clean the angry cut on my torso. I scolded myself for being so stupid and thinking that I was strong enough to escape the wrath of Alpha Axton, I was certain that I’d be dead by nightfall.

I knew that I wasn’t supposed to take a break, the sounds of twigs being broken in half reminding me of that. After a few hours of struggling to jog in my human form, I felt my stomach growl angrily. Starving wasn’t a feeling that my body wasn’t used to, I had gone multiple days without food as punishment from Alpha Axton. However, this time I felt a piercing pain in my stomach and weakness started to take over my body. I knew I had to shift, there was no longer any other option.

I peeled my dress off that was soaked from my sweat and got on my hands and knees, taking a deep breath before calling my wolf forwards. After a few attempts, a pain so unbearable took over from the change causing me to scream out loudly. My body collapsed harshly against the dirt floor. I begged for my wolf profusely, “please Anna, please help me.” Her name rolling off my tongue felt so strange, I hadn’t acknowledged her since Luna Fraya had died and Alpha Axton forbade it, threatening all the slaves with instant death.

It was no use though, I could feel her still inside of me but she was so suppressed and I didn’t have the strength. My head whipped to look behind me when I heard angry growls. Nine massive wolves stood in a line with their canines protruding, all squatting and moments away from attacking.