Natalia POV
As I leave the cemetery I can't shake the feeling that things are about to get a lot worse for me. That man, there was something off about him and those glowing red eyes. I can't deny that he was the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on but there was something off about him. When he touched me he sent little electric sparks running through my body, but that could only mean trouble, right?
I make my way down the path back towards the pack house, but something compels me to stop. I come to a halt right at the fork, I can either go back in the direction of the pack house or I can take the other route and take my chance of being on the run. With everything that is going on in the pack today, I doubt they will notice I'm gone until it's too late. I can't stay here anymore. I can't be the pack punching bag any longer. I need to take control of what little life I have left. I have no friends, I have no money, I have nothing, but anywhere has to be better than here. I would rather take my chances in human cities or become a fucking rogue than die here. Die being pathetic, die being a wolfless killer. The tears threaten to spill, but I blink them back. With a deep breath, I centered myself, took a quick look around and ran.
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I push myself to the point of wanting to throw up, my chest feels like it's on fire, the sweat has soaked through this dress and I can feel it running down my back. My hair is stuck to my face, but I push it back and continue on. I know I have made it further than I thought I would because I don't recognise this part of the forest. I felt the slight pull of magic rack at my skin when I crossed the boundary, but I pushed myself and gritted my teeth and made it across.
"Nyaxia, you are awfully quiet. Are you OK?"
"I don't have a good feeling about this Nat."
I know what she means because I have had this dread sitting in my stomach since I found myself in this dress, but I have no time to think of this as I keep running. I take my time studying the area and come across a small river. I don't think twice before I jump in. The water is so refreshing and cools my heated skin. It will hide my scent enough that if anyone does look for me it will end here. I wade across the river, heave myself up over to the other side and continue on.
Night falls quicker than I anticipated. I have no wolf to protect me if someone attacks. I found a small shallow cave. I looked around and noticed no tracks leading out of it. I go as far back as I can but still have enough room to see out. My body aches, my stomach rumbles and my feet are killing me. I have gone days without food before or surviving on scraps, but I honestly don't remember the last time I ate, and I haven't ever pushed my body like this before, being the disgrace that I am I wasn't allowed to train with others, I was too waste away and become this shell of a person.
The moon becomes higher and higher, and it's the only source of light that illuminates the clearing. The temperature drops and I start to feel the chill in the night air. I wrap my arms around me and huddle in a ball. I feel guilty that I left. I feel guilty for Nyaxia more so.
"I'm sorry Ny, I just couldn't take it anymore. I don't want us to die there."
"It's OK, I just wish I could protect you. If I could shift, I would rip your father to shreds and laugh while he begged for mercy."
I feel myself smile. Nyaxia can be bloodthirsty, but I have no doubt she would see it through and I would enjoy letting her.
I must have dozed off because I woke up with a jolt. Howls are coming from the distance and I know that can only mean one thing. They know I left. I keep my breathing steady and listen, the howls are still pretty far away, but they will catch me soon enough.
I make a run for it and start bolting blindly in the dark. I avoid touching trees and try to keep my fear locked down. The more they smell me, the faster they will find me. I heard water running and I took a sharp right turn. I scrap my arm in the process and curse myself when I feel the trickle of blood running down my arm. I pump my legs harder, I need to make it into that water and fast.
I jump over a fallen log, stumble and nearly face-plant in the dirt. I steady myself, but that gives me an idea. The water is just up ahead. I can see this isn't just a river like before, it is a full-blown waterfall. I skid to a stop panting. I have to make it across, but I know the second the current touches me I'll be swept away. I take a moment that I don't have and try and search for a way across. Further down near the edge of the falls is a huge-fallen log.
I race for it and pull myself up. Of course, I look down and, fuck that's a massive drop. I shake my head and focus on getting across, the breeze picks up, and I lose my balance slightly and slip. I dig my fingers into the bark, nails splitting trying to hold my weight, my foot splashes into the water, but I have to keep moving. Nyaxia is howling inside my head, I can feel her pacing, fuck. This is bad, this is so bad.
I hear noises faintly over the crashing of water and I know they will come and drag me back. I can't fucking go back. The anger, the sadness, the pain, I feel it all bubble to the surface. I will not fucking let them take me, I will not go back. They will not take me. Pain erupts further through my fingers. The skin feels like it is splitting. The bones feel like they are breaking. I have a rush of strength that goes straight to my head and I lift myself easily.
Once I am back onto the fallen log, I move my hands up to hold my balance, but my hands are no longer hands, they have long-tipped claws. They don't look like the claws I have seen before though.
I am thrown from my thoughts when an earth-shattering howl echo around the forest.