Magnolia

I’m starting to pant, I have been running so long. Why won’t they give up? Why do they keep chasing me? We have crossed two pack territories now, and those guards fell back before crossing. I can feel my legs start to falter.

No, Magnolia, you have to keep going! There is a cliff ahead, and I hear running water, You must jump!

Jump? Jump?! Okay, okay, okay. I trust you, Diem. Seize the day, amirite?

That joke will get old one day. She responds with a huff.

Suddenly, we are at the cliff. I hear running water and decide to not slow down. I hear wolves behind me signaling to fall back. I never let up. With one look over my shoulder, I smirk at the silver wolf leading the pack. I wink and turn to leap over the ledge.

Immediately I shift into my silver wolf with a black swirl between my eyes. I feel the impact as soon as I dive in. Luckily, the pain isn’t as bad in were form. Swimming to the ledge, I hear shouts above me. I can’t make out what they are saying. I’m just grateful I came above water under a cover of trees. Quietly, I wrench myself up on to the bank. Once near the tree, I hug the sturdy hunk for dear life. Murmuring a “Thank you” to the Goddess, I lay there. As I catch my breath, the noise above has died down quite a bit. It wont take them long to find me.

As soon as I am rested, I set out along the edge of the mountain. Careful to stick to the shadows, I make notes of crevices I could fit inside in a pinch. As I rounded one corner, I located a divine bush of delectable black berries. As I say another silent “Thank you” to the Moon Goddess, I begin to devour the delicious treat.

Nolia, we really need to keep going. I know you’re tired but we need to keep on. If he finds us, he is going to lock us back up. Come on!

Let’s go, D.

As we inch further away from the blackberries, an uneasy feeling settles over me. I’m being watched. The hairs on the back of my arms stand up.

Crack!

Fuck, I knew we weren’t alone! Taking off on foot I head away from the unknown guest. I can’t afford to be caught. I’ve come too far. I won’t go back.

Diem, there’s a crevice to your left that’s hard to see into. Duck there, NOW!

Quick thinking, Magnolia! Once they pass by and keep going, I’m going to shift in wolf form. I’m getting us up this mountain! There is a steep path going up just to the right of the crevice. There’s foliage and trees. We should be ok once we get far enough away.

Sounds like a plan to me, D. We are going to need to hide our sce-

I’ve got the perfect mud right here.

You are amazing! Now, it’s been a few minutes. Their noises are getting fainter. It’s now or never!

As I shift back into my beautiful silver wolf, I am off like the wind. I give Diem full control as we make this journey. Jumping fallen trees, the landing is barely audible. Pausing to make nature resumes itself, I sniff the air. The scent of those following us are fainter than they have been in a while. Not letting my guard down, I push forward and loop around a few times before picking a westwardly direction.

After walking for a few hours, I hear a stream. Keeping to the shadows, I inch closer while scanning for possible threats. After sensing none, I allow myself to drink my fill. God, what I wouldn’t give for a Dr. Cola right about now.

Sensing a rabbit, fall back into the shadows waiting. I watch as the brown bunny hops towards the water mere feet away from me. But then I sense it. Another were and they were close. I didn’t smell anything off. Just a spirited child that smelled of berries and dirt.

Then it hit me. The scent of sandalwood and cedar.