Meeting Death

Chapter 7

The moonlight filtered through the thick canopy of trees, though this helped me find my path clearly, it didn't help that I'll be in the spotlight, so some rogue or beast may prey on me. Nonetheless, I continued running, with 3ach  step, my paws pounded against the dirt, carrying me deeper into the wilderness. The wind whipped through my fur, carrying with it the scents of the forest—damp earth, sharp pine, and the distant scent of the pack, growing fainter with each passing moment. 

Thanks to the hunting lessons I used to take with my Dad, I now knew where to stray off to avoid straddling the borders of our rival packs who were very strict towards rogues and trespassers. 

After a while, I even stopped worrying about time and the possibilities of running into other rogues or beasts.,  I pressed onward, my muscles burning with fatigue, but I pushed through the pain, my heart set on one thing, finding a human settlement to hide in. 

As the first rays of dawn started showing, I could spot a stream of water a few miles away. I slowed to a walk, my sides heaving with fatigue. As the forest began to be clear, thanks to the sunshine, I came to 5he river that ran parallel to the border of the rogue pack’s territory.

I approached the river cautiously, my paws sinking into the soft mud of the riverbank.  The water sparkled in the morning light, tempting me to drink and rid myself of my thirst. After a careful look around for scents of other animals, I relaxed a bit and decided to take a few gulps from the river to avoid depleting my own small supply in the backpack I carried. 

Though I initially planned to take a quick gulp and run off, I ended up drinking more than that. The water was truly refreshing in every sense. But that enjoyment was cut short as I quickly sensed another presence around me. 

I quickly lifted my head, my ears perked in alertness. Then, from the trees, a large figure stepped out into the open. It was another wolf, lean and powerful, its fur a deep, midnight black.

We stared at each other for a moment, our gazes locked in an unspoken challenge.

The black wolf’s lips curled back in a snarl, revealing sharp, glistening teeth. It took a slow, cautious step forward, its muscles tensed in readiness.

My whole body was aching from all that running and the pains I was running from. I wasn't about to show my weaknesses to a damn rogue wolf or whatever this beast was. So I raised my own hackles, my fighting instincts taking over. This wolf was a rival, a threat to my safety and I wasn't about to risk being seen as prey.

I growled low in my throat, exposing my own fangs. The air between us crackled with tension, each of us waiting for the other to make the first move.

Suddenly, without warning, the black wolf lunged, its powerful legs propelling it forward with the speed of a hunting arrow.

I reacted quickly, all thanks to the lifelong fighting skills my Dad gave me. So I sidestepped its attack with a quick twist of my body. I felt the rush of stinking air as its teeth snapped closed, narrowly missing my flank. Damn, doesn't he know anything about oral cleanliness? 

I spun, lashing out with my claws, aiming for the vulnerable flesh beneath the black wolf’s throat. But it was fast, and my claws only scratched it a bit. 

That seemed to anger the rival wolf even more, it snarled, its anger quite

 Visible. I could tell that this wasn't just a random rogue, it was a well-experienced fighter as well. 

I jumped to the left, then darted to the right, trying to catch the black wolf off guard. But it proved to be skilled in battle, and I could see the hint of cunning in its eyes.

As I dodged another lunge, I caught sight of something glinting in the grass just behind the rival wolf—the dagger I had taken from the cottage.

Desperate for an edge, I darted towards the dagger, my paws churning up mud as I quickly snatched it from the ground.

I whirled back towards the black wolf, wielding the dagger like a claw. It was clearly surprised by my weapon, its eyes widening as it circled, keeping its distance.

I bared my teeth, glaring at him. “Who are you?” I growled, keeping the dagger at the ready.

The black wolf snarled, the fur along its spine bristling. “You think a blade will save you, pup?” it snapped, its voice a low, menacing rumble. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I'm not afraid of weak rogues.”

I tightened my grip on the dagger, narrowing my eyes. “I don’t care who you are,” I retorted, my voice cold and determined. “I’m not your prey. If you don't mind I'd like to continue on my journey.”

The black wolf hissed, its lips curling back in a feral grin.

“You think so, pup?” the black wolf growled. “You’re my prey now.”

With that, the wolf sprang at me, ready to tear me apart. I sidestepped the attack, swinging the dagger with all the strength I could get. The blade flew through the air, slicing a shallow wound across the black wolf’s shoulder.

The wolf yelped, its momentum carrying it past me.

The black wolf skidded to a halt, its eyes narrowed with rage. Blood dripped from its shoulder, staining the grass beneath it.

“Cunning,” it sneered, circling me once more. “But not clever enough. You'll get to feel my wrath now.”

I shifted my weight, circling in the opposite direction. The grass crunched underfoot, each step a challenge, a promise of battle. I only gave him a half smile. 

“Why don’t you tell me your name, before I carve it into your hide?” I growled, gripping the dagger tighter.

“My name?” the black wolf chuckled, its tail twitching in amusement. “My name is Death, and you’re a fool to challenge me.”

I lifted the dagger, studying the wolf. “Death or rather suicide? You seem like a weakling to me.” I scoffed.

 The dark wolf growled, his eyes flashing with anger. “You don’t know anything, pup.”

Perhaps not,” I shot back, my hackles rising. “But I know that you’re the one bleeding.”

The wolf snarled, launching another attack. This time, he was quicker, his teeth snapping just inches from my throat.

I darted backwards, swiping at him with the dagger. He dodged the blow, but not quickly enough. I moved quickly and aimed at his stomach. What this wolf didn't know was that the dagger was previously coated with wolfsbane. And that was all I needed to escape from another cruel prison. I didn't even wait to check if the rival wolf was dead or just badly hurt. I took off in another run, determined not to run into another wolf that might keep me from reaching my destination.