Chapter 2 WILD AT HEART

Rose Pov

My heart raced when I awoke with a start. I was briefly unaware of my whereabouts. The pack, Kyle's treachery, and my escape all came rushing back. As an outsider, I was alone myself in the wilderness.

The sun was high in the sky, filtering through the leaves above me. Sleeping for hours. Not having eaten since before the pack meeting, my stomach growled.

I mumbled to myself, "Okay, Rose." "Time to figure this out." Grasping the fallen logs with my aching muscles, I crawled out. I needed water and nourishment, first things first.

My wolf senses took over as I closed my eyes. I was surrounded by a vibrant forest, with tiny animals running around, birds chirping, and a distant trickling of water.

I followed the sound. I found myself looking for other wolves' indications even when I was by myself, proving that old habits do not die. I discovered a tiny creek after 10 or so minutes of strolling. The water was clear and clean. I bent over and drank from my hands. My tiredness was partially relieved by the cool, pleasant temperature.

Again, the truth of my circumstances struck as I sat by the creek. Really, I was all alone. Kyle, no family, and no pack. Kyle. Thinking of him made my heart hurt. He choose the pack over me, how could he? After all that we had endured and all of our commitments...

My imagination skipped to a scene of Kyle and me on a hot summer night, sitting by this identical creek. with his lips on my neck and his arms encircling me.

He had said, "I'll always love you, Rose." "No matter what."

Lies!!! Everything. Rejecting the memory, I shook my head. Reminiscing on the past was not an option. My priority has to be getting by.

Again, and with more intensity, my stomach rumbled. Rising to my feet, I looked about. There had always been a group element to hunting. I found myself alone now.

I turned to go in the direction of some berry bushes that I saw close. There was a voice in my thoughts that stopped me as I grabbed for a cluster of fruit.

"Are you sure those are safe?"

I got stuck. That voice was accurate. These berries might be toxic, but I had no idea. I said, "Great." "Can't even feed myself."

I became irritated with myself. To hell with everything, I was a werewolf. My chances of surviving in the wild should be high. Trying to calm down, I took a big breath. Rose, pause. What is it that you know?"

I recalled childhood lessons about safe and dangerous plants. I started to forage cautiously and slowly. There are edible roots here, and berries there. That would sustain me even though it wasn't much.

I attempted to figure out what to do next while I finished my dinner. This place couldn't hold me for ever. I would be in the pack's sights. I needed to get away, far away, out of sight from them.

However, where? I had never ventured beyond the confines of my rucksack. I didn't understand the world that lay beyond.

I located a protected area under a big tree as darkness fell. In an attempt to settle into the unyielding surface, I curled up. Resting was difficult. I was certain that the pack had located me since I jumped at every sound. Furthermore, when I did fall asleep, Kyle's face and words would reverberate throughout my dreams.

Rose, put the pack first. Every time." Cold and aching, I woke up before daylight. However, a peculiar emotion overcame me as I observed the sun rising and illuminating the sky with vivid colors.

Liberation. I felt deeply liberated for the first time in my life. Neither expectations nor pack laws. Anywhere I went, I could be anyone. The idea thrilled and scared me at the same time.

I learned how to live alone for the next few days. I had never been forced to hunt by myself, so it was a struggle. Still, I got better gradually. Snagging a rabbit or locating a secure sleeping spot were examples of minor victories that felt enormous.

I saw an injured fox one afternoon, maybe one week into my exile. Whimpering, it was stuck in some sort of trap. Moving forward was my first inclination. Serving it could delay me down; it wasn't my concern.

Still, something changed inside me as I stared at the unfortunate creature. Similar to me, this fox was afraid and alone. I moved closer, taking my time. I said, very quietly, "Hey there." "It is acceptable. You will receive my assistance. I looked at the trap, and the fox gave me a feeble roar but did not challenge me. I finally got its leg free, but it took some effort. Something warm swelled inside me as the fox hobbled off. Despite losing my pack, my compassion remained intact.

I heard something nearby while I was falling asleep that night. Sensing that the pack had located me at last, my heart raced.

But, curled up a few feet away, it was the fox. It had a perceptive gaze on me and seemed to be saying "Thank you."

Less alone than I had felt in days, I grinned.

I found the fox gone when I woke up the following morning. On the other hand, it had left behind a dead rabbit, which was carefully placed by my side. Embracing the gesture, I laughed. Looking at the deserted trees, I thought, "I guess we're even now."

I heard something different just as I was about to go on. The sounds. voices of people. Not knowing how to proceed, I froze. I was a human being for the first time. We should always heed the pack's advice and stay put.

But I hesitated for some reason. One of them actually sounded, hurt? I walked closer, hiding among the bushes, against my better judgment. Two people a man and a woman were in front of me. With his leg held tightly, the man lay on the ground. The woman seems alarmed. She said, "Jake, we need to get you help." "That cut looks bad." Jake shook his head, the man. "Mira, we're far away from anything. Go, just go. Get assistance. Here, I'll be all right."

My heart raised. I better get out of here. I have nothing to do with this. Still, I knew I had to stay as I observed the man battle and the woman's fearful expression. As I emerged from my hiding spot, I inhaled deeply. I replied, "I can assist." Surprised by my unexpected arrival, they both leaped.

Stepping carefully in front of Jake, the woman questioned, "Who are you?" "Where did you come from?" My mind racing, I hesitated. The truth couldn't be told to them. Though perhaps...

"My name is Rose," I said. "I... I'm a wilderness guide. As I heard noises, I was camped close by. With suspicion, Jake looked at me suspiciously. "Alone here in the wilderness?"

Making an effort to seem assured, I nodded. "There is no one I know these forests like me. Also, I am skilled in handling such wounds."

Mira appeared to be conflicted. "I don't know..." Please, I uttered. "Let me help." A gaze exchanged between Jake and Mira. Jake gave a last nod. "Okay," he responded. "What do you need?"

Excitation and terror mixed strangely as I crouched next to Jake, assessing his wounds. My initial genuine engagement with people was this. I was instructed to run by everything I had learned. While applying the skills I had acquired from years of living in the pack, I sensed something more as I started to clean Jake's wound.

Goal and Purpose. I felt that I was finally where I was supposed to be, after my banishment. I had no idea how everything would change as a result of this accidental contact. The greatest obstacles and rewards of my trip were still to come. It was only the beginning.