The Last Luna

Die or submit

Catherine POV

My body automatically sets itself into hunting mode. Starving as my wolfs hunger seeps in. I rely on her instincts. Following her keen sense of smell as she hunts, following her instinct. With not wanting to make any noise or draw any attention, I decide whatever we catch will be uncooked, refusing to start a fire in the open as I ready myself for raw meat.

I inhale deeply, sniffing the ground as I search for a scent. I pick up on the faint aroma of wildlife. A definite hit as my mouth begins to salivate, thinking of the small bouncing bunny unknowing of the hunt ahead, no match for my wolf. As I continue to follow it’s trail all I can smell is what surrounds me. Trying to separate them from one another as the forest scents mix heavily, a strong waft of dead trees and hidden animals.

I pick up on old scents, the smell of a bear lingering on the ground, faint as if had already moved on to new pastures. I fight against my wolf’s judgment; urging her to stay on track as we follow the trail of the rabbit, continuing my journey.

Realising I’m not paying as much attention to my surroundings as I’d like, I perk my ears up. Using them alongside my sense of smell. I listen carefully for the scuttling; knowing that rabbits are usually noisy and not that good at hiding. The wind remains on my side; picking up as it wafts the rabbit’s scent exactly in my nose.

I crouch down, barely visible as I lower myself into the brushes, only exposing my ears as I creep closer to my end goal. I finally catch sight of the ball of fluff, oblivious to the skulking predator as I take my time, watching as it eats the grass. Not looking around for any danger.

With my widened eyes I begin licking my lips. The thought of the delicious meat sends my stomach into a medley of growls as I plan ahead, promising myself to save some for the following few days. Without wasting time, I lunge at the rabbit and land exactly on top of it. My jaw closes around the rabbit neck and in no time I broke the rabbit neck.

As my teeth break its flesh I feel the blood pours heavily into my mouth, causing my wolf to purr with enjoyment. Relishing in the hunt and the successful killing of prey. Proud almost.

I start to eat immediately, leaving little left apart from a small pool of blood on the ground. The sickly iron scent slowly disappears, leaving no trace of me being here. With the fear that anyone could stumble upon me, I decide to leave as soon as possible.

As I start to walk back to where I left my backpack I feel myself freeze. The shuddering sound of snapping branches filling the air.

I remain frozen as I feel my ears perk up, anxious as I crouch and listening to every move. I pray it's just an old branch falling from the treetops or another little animal rushing by. But my prayer remains unanswered as the unwelcomed commotion grows louder, surfacing from behind me. Out of instinct, I turn toward the creator of the noise and crouch down, preparing myself to defend against whatever is coming my way. My wolf is ready, refusing to back down.

Getting caught wasn't an option. Not for me, not for my wolf. The sound continues to grow when a group of large wolves emerges from the bushes. They are six or so, easily outnumbering me as they circle around. They huddle up all together, growling at me with a look of anger within their eyes.

The one at the front looks bigger than the others. He looks powerful, the type of wolf that gets joy out of others obeying him. He must be gamma or beta, but not an Alpha. My wolf wants to submit to him but I tell her no. Reminding her that we’ll fight until our last breath if it takes. We submit to no-one, I warn her.

These are not simple wolves, they are muscular so they must be warriors. Feeling outmatched, I suddenly realize I can't win a fight against that many. My only chance to run as fast as I could. I could cover my scent I ponder, making the most of one of my special abilities. I lower my head and start wagging my tail, almost as if I wanted to play with them.

I allow an innocent grin to cover my face as I flash them a playful wink. With their guards lowering, I turn around and shoot off as fast I can. Not waiting around to hear them chase after me, I race on. Unable to hear their paws padding against the ground, I push on. Just as I think I’ve gotten away a chorus of howls break out from behind me, abolishing any chance of hope I had felt.

I hear a loud wolf howls into the air, giving orders; signaling for the others to take me down. I'm in big trouble now. How will I get out of this situation? I have to try everything. They can't get me. I would rather die than be a prisoner. I'm not going to be anyone's slave or pet.

I push myself harder, thankful for my quick meal otherwise I don't think I would have even had a chance. I push on, running through the thick forestry. I try to divert my path, running in zigzags, hoping they grow tired and give up on the chase. I remind myself that warrior wolves are excellent in fighting but they are not made for chasing.

The pad of their paws thankfully grows softer while they struggle to keep up with me. It looks like someone heard my prayer, allowing me to get away from them. I just have to get my backpack and run far away from here.

Before I have time to think of my next move, another howl breaks out but this time not from behind. I begin to panic, noticing this one sounded directly in front of me. I try to think about what I should do. Should I take the left or the right?

But before I can decide the wolf has already zoned in. Much closer than I had originally thought. He stands proudly; his chest puffed up appearing satisfied with himself. I stop immediately and look at him, my eyes wide as I stare over my attacker.

His dark grey fur is matted, missing in some places. His sides are covered with scars, healed but still on show. My eyes wander to the scar under his right eye makes him look like a badass. It is clear to see, he’s gone through some bad battles. He is around 5"7 tall. His human form can be around the same size. My only hope has now gone to the trash, dwindling before my eyes. I pucker up, reminding myself that no one should ever underestimate a she-wolf that doesn’t wish to be caught.

He sends a warning growl before attacking. Loud but not overpowering, confirming my suspicions that he isn’t an Alpha but a Beta. His fur is not black so he can’t be an Alpha. His growl grows deeper, feeling more serious. My wolf whimpers in my head, expressing her disgust as she does not want to obey him.

I beg her to show him her belly and crook her neck in submission. But she doesn't, refusing to show any signs of weakness. Not now or not ever.

I try to take off once more; running with all my might as I try to lose them, depending on the speed of my paws in regards to my life. But before I even burst into my sprint I feel a pain in my right hind leg. Hurting like a b*tch as a pair of canines clamp down around my flesh, piercing my skin as I feel the cold trickle of blood race down my legs.

I lose my balance when he starts to pull at me, causing me to crash into the ground. I snarl viciously, snapping my teeth in response while I kick my legs around hoping to hit him. He finally let’s me go; taking a lump of my flesh along with him as he tears into my muscle, realising me from his painful grip. I let out a howl in agony, noticing the blood spreading everywhere as it oozes. I spin around quickly, trying to ignore the pain as I lunge back in defense.

Appearing surprised, I land on his back and bite down hard. Biting deeper as the flow of iron drowns my mouth. The mysterious wolf growls in fury, trying to roll over. I fall to the ground with a thud when his claws drive my belly.

I try to bite his shoulder, failing miserably as he effortlessly dodges my attack and forces me back to the ground by wrapping his canines around my throat. The pressure applied tells me that he could easily snap it but he holds back, waiting for me to submit as if my death was not his end-game.

As I wriggle under his grasp I know I have only two options. Die or submit to him.