Run Sary Run

Viola’s POV “This is barbaric! You all have mothers, wives and daughters! How can you possibly think that this is fair!” I scream as tears roll down my face. “I suggest you shut your mouth and start running,” smirked Judge Bensen while gesturing to the open door overlooking the lush green forest. “They will be coming for you at sunset whether you like it or not Miss Viola.” My heart sank deep into my stomach causing its contents to rise. I swallow hard to prevent more of a show infront of the most ruthless of council members to visit the Scarlett Moon Pack. This is how they treat unmarked, unmated she wolves in their 30s and there is not a glimps of remorse in any of their eyes. This act is outdated and I very much doubt this outcome would arise if there were a female on the visiting council. Misogynistic, arrogant pricks! I take my attention away from the pigs sitting infront of me and talk to Maria, my gentle wolf. “I am so sorry this is happening, I will do my best to protect you darling.” Maria’s voice was calm but I knew that she was terrified. If only I let her out more we would be stronger and stand more of a chance in getting away. If we could just get past the forest and onto the highway we might just stand a chance in escaping unmarked and unmated. My eyes illuminate emerald green as I give myself over to Maria. The loud cracks of my bones fill the room as I shift and let out a courageous growl. They will not break us! Maria leaps through the open doors towards the beautiful green forest. The wild flowers flood our senses while the wind gently breezes through Maria’s bright auburn coat. For a moment we forget that there are 40 menacing wolves getting ready to hunt us down and claim what does not belong to them. I no longer have any faith in the Moon Goddess, I refuse to accept this is my fate by design. I am at a loss on how to hide our scent, being on heat will lead them all directly to us. Each and every one of them is 3 times as fast and 3 times as strong as us. The anxiety fills my chest, I need to get out of here! “I need you to calm down so I can focus,”Maria pleads with me as she gracefully glides through the trees. “I am our only chance of getting out of here right now darling girl, if you take over we will never make it to the highway.” Maria leaps into the flowing water of the river, the freezing cold water hits our coat and makes her gasp for air. As soon as she makes it to the other side she stops to catch her breath and shakes in an attempt to dry her fur. Maria then rolls around in the thick grey mud covered in a bright green algae that has a distinct musky smell in an attempt to hide our scent. I admire her thought process and take a seat back in our mind. Maria is going to save us. The howls of 40 restless male wolves fill the forest causing the birds to fly away through the trees. While I can’t see the sun through the thick branches, the cold of the air tells me sunset is close. We can hear the loud honking of a truck horn in the distance, we are close to the highway. Relief fillls my chest and my shoulders relax. We are going to be ok. Dew coats the large grey rocks ahead of us as darkness hits the forest floor. The climb on the path to the highway is not a steep one however it is still a 5km hike upwards on slippery terrain. I can see lights hit the tree line from a passing car and my smile widens. Freedom! Maria picks up her pace jumping from rock to rock up the hill towards the freeway. Not once does she miss a step on the slippery surfaces. Almost there now, another set of lights skims the top of the ledge. Maria’s ears prick up, the scent of the male wolves hit our nose telling us they’re close. A menacing growl echoes through the forest along with the sound of huge paws hitting the ground at galloping pace. Maria quickens her pace and starts panting with exhaustion. Almost there! A large silver wolf takes out Maria’s legs tumbling us down the rocks towards the bottom of the slope. No no no no I scream internally. A humongous black wolf with piercing blue eyes challenges the silver wolf lunging and his throat. A smaller brown wolf drags Maria away from the fighting wolves and starts to claim her lifeless body. No no no no! Don’t give up! Maria is not responding to my pleads. The black wolf rips the brown wolf away from Maria and let’s out triumphant growl. The last thing I see are his eyes looking straight into mine and everything fades to black.