Rogue

My heartbeat pounded through my ears like a drum that plays right before a battle. I was getting closer to where the hunters were at, I could feel it. The thought of fighting riled me up like a forbidden craving. It was bringing out the animal in me. The part of me that the Council loved more than anything. The part of me that was praised. Rewarded for coming out to fight.

My feet kept hitting the ground pushing me further and further into the thick forest. All I had to go by was the scents running through my nose. That is until I saw the sun shine through the trees lighting up a clearing just ahead of me further drawing my attention to the grassy field. If the hunters wanted an advantage they'd lead the rogues there. It was an open area, easy to shoot targets when there's not trees to hide behind.

Picking up my pace. I ran until I passed the last of the trees. Feeling my feet finally hit the grass putting me out into the open. I kept walking. Slowly taking steps until I was closer to the center of the clearing. Something didn't feel right. Yet, everything was almost normal. The trees were swaying to the wind and the birds were chirping away oblivious to what was happening on the ground. It wasn't quiet enough for me to put my guard down though.

Putting my hand on my gun I let my finger rest on the trigger as I turned around looking behind me for just a second to take in my surroundings. And that's when I heard it. A low growl erupted from somewhere behind the trees echoing through the vast field. It was soft enough to barely be noticeable, but I heard it. Next thing I knew, A louder growl was let out from behind me just before I was tackled onto the ground. My hip hit the grass first, then the rest of my body. The weight of the wolf on top of me felt like I was being held down by a ton of bricks. 

I panicked at first, grabbing whatever I could to try to pull it off of me. I managed to turn my shoulders just enough for me to get a grip on its black fur. I focused all of the strength I had on my arm to pull its neck away from my body. The last thing I wanted was to be bit right in the neck. Maybe I spoke too soon. I felt my mouth gape open in shock wanting to let out a scream, but I couldn't. The rogue managed to sink its teeth into my thigh. That was the only opening he had and he took it. 

Searing pain flooded through my leg with heat taking over the rest of my body. Uncontrollable growls came out of my chest, vibrating through me as I finally yelled out in agony. Something in me seemed to snap from the pain. The wolf inside of me was clawing to be let out. I didn't think I would be able to hold her in when all of my focus was going to the pain in my thigh. Even I was surprised that I did. That form was the worst to be in when dealing with hunters. Rogues on the other hand are a different story. I took in a deep breath grabbing its jaw in between my hands as I threw it off of me. Hearing its yelp as it staggered on the ground.

It wasn’t much of a defense on my end but it gave me enough time to get back onto my feet putting us face to face. Our odds were more equal this way. I should've known rogues don't play fair. I was too caught up in the hunters that I didn't take in the possibility of me running into wolves before I ran into the humans. I could feel the warmth of my blood as it fell down my thigh and on to the grass. And fuck did it hurt. 

Grinding my teeth I tried my best to ignore the pain. Moving one of my legs behind the other I stood in an attack stance with my wounded leg in front. Balancing out my body weight. Watching the rogue move from one side to the other. He never stayed in one place too long as if it would give me an opening to attack. This one was clever, I'll give him that. Only one of us was going to make it out of here and I had no plans on it being him. 

We both tensed up giving each other the signal that we were ready to fight. I watched as he bolted to me. I was letting him get the upper hand for now. His paws hit the grass one by one lifting up debris as he picked up his pace. One moment He was running and the next he was on the ground. A blast had rung out seconds before. It's piercing ring filling my ears. The noise was deafening. I knew it wasn't like a normal gunshot. It was much louder.

I looked down at the rogues body. Almost feeling a sense of pity. He didn't get a chance to fight for the life that was taken from him in an instant. As I looked over him his wound gave me the reason for that. Silver liquid was seeping out of his chest. And Time seemed to slow when I looked into his yellow eyes as he took his last breath. I would've let him fight me. As an equal. No weapons either. Being a rogue he should've gotten that option despite being unfair in battle when he attacked me from behind.

Lifting my head up I felt my eyes surge with anger and determination. My heart was beating through my ears. Looking out into the trees I heard the snap of a few branches before a group of hunters started to walk out of the forest. We quickly locked eyes and they all stopped in their tracks. There they are.