Anja

Leopold, the King, looked older somehow, even though it’s only been a couple of weeks. He looked stressed, grieving for Dania. Guilt gnawed at me for what I’d put him through.

How could I have done that to him?

Because my aunt made me believe it would be the best thing for Dania. Plus, I was terrified of leaving her behind in case my aunt let anything slip about my sister.

However, seeing the state of my once father hurt my heart so badly. My sadness at being cast out meant nothing at that moment. It didn’t matter that his love for me had vanished, he still loved Dania, and she needed him badly.

With tears in my eyes, I hugged my sister tightly, kissed her head and told her that I loved her. I told her that if she ever needed me, all she had to do was call my name to the wind, and I’d hear her. Dania nodded that little brunette head of hers, not understanding any of what had been going on.

But then, how could she when she’s a mere three years old?

I watched Dania walk beyond the trees towards the house I once lived. She called out for her father, who turned around so fast, his coat whipped around his legs. His face cracked into a huge smile, relief evident in his expression and the way he yelled her name.

Dania ran to him; he grabbed her and held her tightly while calling for Brody and the rest of the pack.

I didn’t hang around for them to find me and rip me apart. All I wanted was to make sure Dania got to her father safely. I knew if I stayed a second longer, the pack, regardless of my abilities, might find me, and then there’d be no hope for me.

I allowed Asha to take over my body and run back towards the forest where I had been hiding. Back to my lonely existence with nothing on my mind other than no one wants me.

Asha reminded me that Orrin wants me; he’s our mate. I ignored her because it’s not something I want to think about now or ever!

I’ll be fine on my own; I’ll get by somehow. I could have gone to Tracey, my best friend, but I didn’t want to put my troubles on her. She’s human, and I’m not supposed to have anything to do with her, but I never listened. Tracey was special, and she means the world to me.

I’ll catch up with her as soon as I’m sorted.

Eight days after sending Dania home, I’m hunting in the woods for food. I’m craving meat more than I ever have in my life — raw meat.

My sense of smell is suddenly so acute I can sniff something out a mile away. However, I don’t seem to be any good at catching my prey.

As a bear, I ate a lot of fish; there are no fish in the forest, even though there is a vast lake. I would have thought it would be teaming with fish. But if it is, then I haven’t seen any.

‘Maybe you’re just no good at catching fish with your hands, Anja.’

‘I haven’t even tried, Asha!’

‘You’re hopeless,’ The bitch inside my head laughs.

When you are raised in a world where everything is handed to you on a plate, never living in the wild, never having to hunt for your food, one doesn’t learn the art of hunter and prey.

Leopold kept in good with some humans near Kulumi. Though no humans know what we are, and we lived away from them, Leopold believed it would be good to befriend some. He also allowed us into their towns and to act like them.

Leopold wasn’t worried about humans finding out about us. He said that no one would believe them if they did find out. But that didn’t mean we could risk exposing ourselves, though it would be good for us to know the ways of humans.

Funny how we weren’t allowed around them all the time, though. It seemed Leopold allowed it when he saw fit and no other time.

I’m starting to get a bit dizzy from lack of food, and the small den I built myself under a tree isn’t enough to keep me dry in the rain. So, I’m hungry and wet, not to mention miserable.

How did I end up becoming a savage?

If only my mother could see me now.

‘At least you’re not a rouge, Anja.’

‘Are you sure about that? We’re out in the wilderness all alone, Asha. I think that makes us rogue.’

Asha rolls her eyes but doesn’t respond.

Slowly, I creep towards the small Deer grazing under the oak tree. I don’t know why I have the urge to tear it to pieces and feast on its insides, but I do.

I tiptoe towards it, more agile than I have ever been. Which is crazy when I think about it, but then I’ve always been the one Leopold said could sneak into the King’s mansion, and no one would hear me. I guess now I know why.

I’m almost upon the small Dear; I can taste him already. My stomach rumbles with hunger. Three steps and I’ll have him. Three... Two... One...

“Gotcha!”

I scream behind the hand of the man holding me from behind. The arsehole is holding me too tightly around the waist, and my legs dangle from the floor. He’s a tall bastard, I can tell, but that doesn’t mean anything to me. I scratch at his hand; I can’t breathe!

“Feisty little hellcat!” He laughs in my ear.

I fight against him, but in my weakened state, he’s too strong. His scent is nauseating to me. He’s not a bear; I know that much. There’s more than one of them; I can sense it.

I pull at his hand enough to bite down, causing him to scream out loud and let go of me.

He drops me to the ground, and I scramble to my feet. I run, but I don’t get far; something hits the back of my head. I hit the floor, and everything goes black. I’m not out cold, but I can’t focus my eyes on anything.

I’m floating through the air as though I were weightless. They’re talking amongst themselves, but I can’t make out what they’re saying.

What the hell is happening to me now?