WOLF TAMER (Claiming My Pack Series Book 1) by Yumoyori Wilson (1)

My legs felt like they were on fire as I ran as hard as I could. My heart hammered against my chest while my lungs struggled to keep up with my desperate need for oxygen. I couldn't stop; I wouldn't stop. 

The last of my family's name would be removed from the earth thanks to the two men who were chasing after me. The men who murdered my family in cold blood.

I didn't know what they wanted, my five-year-old self was still trying to process watching the men kill my family one by one. I was stupid. Should have stayed quiet, but the little whimper that escaped me when they killed my mother gave me away.

Now I was running, clinging to the ancient blade my parents told me to protect, with the pendant Mommy told me to always wear, and the only picture I could grab before I jumped out the window and ran into the forest.

Running had always been my favorite activity, but in this case, if I didn't run any faster, I wouldn't get to enjoy it anymore.

A loud sound burst through the air, making me shriek and run harder than I thought possible.

A second loud sound rang through the air, but this time I screamed, feeling something run right through me. I could feel the air I tried to keep inside me begin to leak out as something warm drenched my white dress.

If I thought running was hard, whatever just happened to me made the world spin, and my pace lessen.

I pushed myself to my limit, running until I realized I was too close to a cliff. I skid to a stop, but another loud sound rang out and my body jerked forward as I gasped, another item running through me and leaving a hole in its wake. 

My body fell over the edge, and I couldn't protect myself from the fall, crashing into the ground and hearing things crack that I knew shouldn't have.

Pain. Lots and lots of it. This wasn't like when I fell down and scraped my knee, or when I'd gotten sick and even sneezing hurt. The pain was crippling and the warm liquid that pooled beneath left me feeling weaker and colder.

I heard footsteps from above, and I shut my eyes tightly, staying as motionless as possible. If I remained still, they wouldn't see me. I'd be invisible just like Daddy said. I wouldn't make a sound again. I'd stay and wait until I was alone.

"She fell over the cliff," a man with a rough voice declared. There was another set of footsteps and a loud sigh.

"You weren't supposed to shoot her, idiot!" the authoritative voice shouted.

"She was going to get away!"

"She's dead now! Defeats the fucking purpose."

"Let's get out of here. These parts are dangerous at night with those damn wolves."

"Shouldn't we finish the job?"

"She'll die. There's no one here for miles. She'll get mauled by the wolves, and if they find her body they'll assume she was attacked by an animal. We'll tell boss she killed herself or something. No one will know," the authoritative voice suggested.

"Fine. Done chasing her anyways. We could have just shifted and got this over with quick. Too bad. She's a fast runner."

"Hmph. She's dangerous. Look how hard it was to kill the boy. If she lived, we'd be screwed. Let's go. We don't want to leave any evidence behind."

Their footsteps faded, but I didn't move. To be honest, I didn't think I could move. Minutes passed, and I remained in place, terrified to open my eyes and see the men who wanted to kill me.

With a bit of courage, I opened my eyes and looked around. The men were gone. I decided to turn onto my stomach, but a slight movement made the pain worse.

With gritted teeth and muffled screams, I turned over and rested on my stomach. It was then my eyes landed on the pool of dark liquid; the metallic scent tickled my nose and made me scrunch my face in fear and disgust. 

The realization sent panic through me, and I figured if I didn't get help soon, I wouldn't be able to get help for my family. I used all my upper body strength to drag my lower half that felt numb.

Thinking the motion out helped me drag further and further, my body growing numb with each movement to the point I couldn't feel the twigs and moist ground of the forest. 

My vision blurred, thanks to my tears and exhaustion, but my burning desire to live was stronger and I kept going. 

I didn't know how long or far I dragged my body through the thick forest, but it was becoming hard to breathe, the air leaving my body from the two holes.

My body felt heavy, making it difficult for me to drag myself anymore. I tried and tried, but it was like I'd stopped working. My limbs had no feeling at all, but my mind buzzed as I began to choke.

I coughed hard, the action prompting blood to escape my mouth and onto the ground. I stared at it, and a prickling wave of fear ran through me as I realized...

I blinked a few times, thinking I must have been dreaming or stuck in a nightmare, but as I laid there in the cool night surrounded by trees and wilderness, I knew it wasn't. 

I clamped my teeth together to roll onto my back, realizing it might have been a bad move as blood began to fill my mouth. I turned my head to the side, letting it drain out as tears streamed down my cheeks. 

I lifted my head to stare at the stars, my gaze landing on the large full moon that looked so pure and beautiful. Even with my blurry vision, I could still see it.

I heard a loud, long sound, and I would have probably flinched if I could have. It sounded like an animal, a dog or even a wolf? 

The thought alone made more tears run down my cheeks, understanding my current predicament would either be me dying from all the blood I'd lost, or a wolf eating me for dinner.

I waited for my death, turning my head to spit out more blood. I got so tired of the frequent head turns, that after my fifth time I decided it would be my last.

I missed my family. I wanted to go home and be tucked into my bed and be read stories by Mommy and Brother. I wanted to get good night kisses from Daddy and hugs from each of them. I just wanted to do good and be happy.

My lip trembled from the cold, and my eyes began to feel heavy. I fought to keep them open as I heard a low growl. 

The rustling sounds of bushes and the breaking of branches made me realize something or someone was here, but it was too late.

Death was where I was headed, and a little part of me hoped my family was dead so I could meet them. 

I moved my hand to the tiny pouch that had been strapped around me, using the bit of strength I had to pull out the dagger I had been entrusted to protect. Either I'd protect myself or finish the job. Those were the only two options I had. 

I heard another growl, this one loud, and more tears ran down my cheeks as I prepared for death. Something licked my forehead, the action gentle rather than painful. 

My eyes opened slowly, the blurry image clearing for just a moment to see a pair of bright silver eyes that glowed. 

I didn't know if it was its eyes or the way the moonlight shone down on us, but it looked sad for me.

With a deep breath and a hint of rejuvenated energy, I raised my hand. Just a touch.

Feeling the soft fur of the wolf made me smile, a final tear running down my cheek as I whispered. "Soft."

I stroked the dark brown and white fur, wishing I could have lived longer to see its full beauty, but as my eyes began to close, my hand went limp, falling back to my side.