Shadows of the Wild

I was in wolf form. I felt adrenaline still, even after I lost sight of the deer I had been chasing. Hunger nipped at my stomach. How long had it been since I had eaten a real meal? Five or six days? I had resorted to eating tree bark now, just to keep my stomach quiet while hunting. My legs hurt from running miles on a near empty stomach, so I started looking to find a place somewhat suited to sleep. I shifted to human form. After a while I assembled a make-shift den under a fallen tree. Not very pretty, but it would do. The nights were getting colder, and I needed some bedding to keep me from completely freezing. Dead leaves would work as insulation, so I gathered leaves from a nearby oak tree.  In a split second I found myself hanging upside down by my left ankle. I was stupid enough to set off a snare intended to catch prey.I couldn't cut myself free, someone else would need to help me. I felt like an i***t, how had I not noticed the snare? Before long there was the sound of footsteps heading my direction. Enough footsteps for at least three people. It was probably a hunting party, coming to check the snare.  They didn't catch a deer, and they most likely were not expecting to find a person hanging from the rope.  Soon a group of teenagers came into the clearing, and they saw me. Not one of proudest moments, hanging from a tree.  "Why are you in our territory?"  the biggest one asked.  " Cut me down, then we will talk!" I replied. He stepped toward me, crouched down and spoke to me at eye-level.  "You are rather pretty, why are you out here alone?" I glared into his golden eyes. He continued speaking,  "Here, you have two choices: you join our pack, become one of us or we punish you for trespassing. It would be a shame letting a young a beautiful wolf like you go to waste." "CUT ME DOWN! Then I will choose." I demanded. Surprisingly, he did cut me down. After being freed I stood up, happy to finally have my feet on the earth. "So, what type of punishment are we talking about here?" I was not very keen to join them. I actually like being a lone wolf. From the moment that I was born I was told 'Raven, look out for #1, people will only let you down. And no matter what, stay alive.' My parents abandoned me when I was nine years old, only to prove their point.  "The punishment for trespassing is DEATH!" they said in unison. I didn't have to think about my choice. My parents' mantra did all the thinking for me. STAY ALIVE. “I will join your pack”