Misery

Chapter One

"He probably doesn't have a clue what to do with so many wolves here for him," one of the arrogant men spoke. Lording over the fact that him and his group severely outnumbered the wolf standing back against the towering cliff that rose above them. Cornered. Though the beast towered over the others. Towered over the man in his human form.

Sometimes I wish we could just show them how wrong they are - Xena sounded like she'd be rolling her eyes as she spoke to her human through their link. They'd feel so emasculated - Xena purred with amusement. Persephone simply sighed through their link. Thinking how sometimes it was a headache to have not just a wolf, but her tiger in her mind.

But it was true. Everyone assumed that the 'rogue beast' was a male. Sexist pricks she thought to herself. Though two growls agreed. Couldn't imagine that the large wolf was a woman, not a man.

Though she was in a rather precarious situation, it was true. Neither her, Xena or Valkyrie had panic set in. Amusement mixed with irritation. After all. This delightful group of wolves trying to take her down now happened to interrupt her hunt. The buck she'd been about to take down had gotten away when the grouping of fifteen wolves had decided to make their attack.

Funny how over such a huge span of land people all seemed intent on trying to hunt her. Never had she been the one to attack first. Only self defense. If it hadn't been for Valkyrie she'd never have survived long enough to gain her tiger, Xena. The wolf in her, whom had gained the alpha strength through her brothers sacrifice had been able to save her.

Not even Valkyrie or Xena had known the reason behind their size. Both being powerful titans For even her parents had never been the size of her wolf or her tiger. Nor had her brother. But at least it had served them, in Persephone alive.

Maybe the years had made her a little... cocky. But fifteen wolves didn't worry her too much. Sure it wasn't the ideal position to be in, backed against a rock and a hard place - rather literally - but it wasn't the worst situation.

Persephone considered what moves to make. Large head looking to the cliff while keeping an eye on the others. No ledges, or anything to grasp. Though shifting would mean having to kill them all. Above all her wolf and tiger made sure to keep her identity secret. And the girl did appreciate it. After all... It allowed her some level of anonymity for when she was in cities.

Shift, beast! - the man demanded. Rolling her eyes the larger wolf gave as close to a grin as she could at the demand. The man was an Alpha. Apparently he had expected an alpha command to work on her. Disobeying and looking smug probably hadn't helped his fragile masculinity as he exploded back into the form of his wolf and lunged for the larger wolf.

His dark steel grey wolf salted in white was small next to her. But they would not make the mistake of underestimating him. This alpha might be cocky - an arrogant sexist asshat... But Alphas all got trained in fighting. Their title of Alpha oft depending on their ability to fight to keep hold of it.

Valkyrie let out a savage growl that had caused the others to step back a moment, lower as if to submit as she bounded to the side gracefully and letting a wolfish howl of amusement as the other went muzzle first into the rocks. It was up and snarling, and the rest recovered from the unexpected power of the stripped wolves snarl to ready for attack.

They'd have been foolish to think they could get out of this mess unscathed. But they where confident they could get out of the mess. None of these wolves compared to when Xena and Valkyrie bonded together to make the odd beast that this pack was trying to hunt. One that looked wolf, with the patterning of a tiger. Well. Aside from her massive paws having the brutal tiger claws.

One grabbed her back right leg as another snarled and bit into her shoulder. One swipe and the insertion of her claws allowed her to grip, flinging the wolf on her shoulder off as she twisted. Large jaws gripping the other by the scruff of their neck hard. A whimper left them as they released her leg and more lunged to attack.

The odd wolf managed to leap, twisting as she land behind one of the attackers, swatting another that had managed to keep up with her acrobatic feat. The alpha had recovered and had missed her neck as she lunged back, but managed to tear a painful chunk from her shoulder instead.

While both Xena and Valkyrie might wish to kill any who threaten them, their human was less keen on it. Not exactly wanting to be the monster everyone made her out to be. Even if it was an understandable reaction from her beast souls. The fight didn't last long, only long enough for her to get on the other side of the wall of wolves and break into a run. With those able to still move running and snarling after her.

If she'd just stayed in the Yukon she'd know all the best escape routes. But no. She had started making her migrations further and further apart in hopes of avoiding exactly this. Too many people had an idea of what territories she'd been seen near. While a wide open world out in the harshness of the north... it had begun shrinking as packs seemed more intent on taking down the 'Rogue Alpha'.

Yet if anyone actually paid mind, it was never the beast that would attack first. But no. Got to villainize those whom were different. You always thought you'd grow up to be a princess, Seph. Look at you. You're the evil queen now - Xena teased.

Thanks, b***h. Can you focus on getting us out of this mess. We've a lot of wolves to shake from our trail! Seph fired back at her wolf as the alpha snapped at their heels. She wondered sometimes why her damn wolf always seemed to find the worst times to tease her. They did have to lose the hunting wolves and then deal with whatever wounds they had.

The pack of hunting wolves clearly had training. They had managed a number of wounds. Though luckily for her, the strength of her bones had also seemed superior since her brother gave her the alpha strength. Most would have a snapped leg from how the one wolf had savaged her. Instead she just had torn flesh and a lot of pain.

But she was used to pain by now. Learned her mind could be stronger than the pain. Pushing in deeper they ran harder, looking around for a good escape, something they could easily traverse but would be more difficult to others. A way to get out of their sights and then make it difficult to find her scent again. Giving her time to get the f**k outta dodge.

She heard the Alpha howl - shuddering as she heard a series of responses from throughout the forest.

Is that what I think it is? Seph asked her beasts.

If you're thinking Mary Poppins and the Scooby gang... I regret to inform you that you're wrong, Valkyrie chimed. If she hadn't needed to be so alert to the trees she was dodging - the woman would have rolled her wolves eyes. No f*****g s**t, Sherlock - Persephone retorted.

Hearing the sound of more and more wolves. Much more than fifteen.

Fuck.

That had been Xena. There was a good and proper hunting party for her. They had to be smart to get out of this pickle. In this hybrid form she could climb, jump and balance much superior to a wolf. That seemed to be something she'd need to do.

Just their luck to get caught up in a territory they don't know and have an all out hunt for their head on a platter. At least no wolves seemed to be in sight anymore. Okay Xena. These trees look good enough... The tiger took the reins as the mighty form launched upward, landing on a large branch, managing to balance a moment before looking for the next branch to leap to. Continuing this for a time and climbing up rather high on one of the larger trees in the forested areas, leaping to a cliff edge that she'd barely made.

Close call there, stripes - Valkyrie criticized. Clearly more on edge since realizing there was a forest of wolves after them. Well you can do it next time, mutt - yeah. It was always fun when her wolf and tiger started to bicker and fight. Sometimes they got along.Others like now, they bitched. Even as they scrambled up from nearly falling down to the boulders waiting at the base to f**k up their day.

Once up they didn't stop. Leaping and clawing to put more distance. Hoping that there wouldn't be wolves on the mountain. Not that they had heard anything. Didn't help that the wind was going exactly the wrong direction to scent if there was trouble ahead. If there wasn't - it would give them time before the wolves realized the direction she'd chosen. And that would be great.

But if there were more... Well. She'd have to add to her body count. This wasn't playing anymore with the arrival of more wolves to this hunt.

All she wanted to do was live. Survive. But it seemed the damn werewolf world was determined to f**k up what should have been a simple plan.

Well, looks like the moon goddess hasn't totally f****d me this time, Persephone cheered as they reached the top of the climb, finding the stretch before her clear of wolves. And wolfish sounds. So as one, the three ran. Putting as much distance between them and their pursuers.

 Persephone hoped that it wouldn't take to long to find a good sized town, or city. Something she could slip in, steal some things, and perhaps enjoy some comforts of civilization... She missed it. Solitary life was, after all, rather lonely. Even with two creatures living in her head.