After a moment, they seemed to come to an agreement, as two of the guardsmen began sprinting into the river, coming right for me.

That got me going! I tore off, sending pebbles flying in every direction as I made a break for the forest.

I dash through the forest, bobbing and weaving through the trees. My sensitive ears picked up the sound of the guards running not far behind me.

I redoubled my efforts, my legs were beginning to burn, but my powerful lungs kept up with my speed.

The sound behind me grew duller and duller, but I didn't dare slow. I continued until I reached Knights Cliff, and leapt down it, stumbling for a moment before I took off again.

I ran a while longer, until I stopped at an ancient oak, panting. My tongue lolling out the side of my mouth, I try to catch my breath.

I estimate to have run three kilometres in two minutes. My legs felt like they were on fire, and without adrenaline pushing me forward, I was exhausted.

I collapse onto my belly, lying my head on the cool earth.

This wasn't good. Now that they knew I was still around, my father would no doubt send out his men. And bounty hunters would begin to rear their ugly heads, searching for a bag of gold and a wolf head to mount on a plaque.

I sigh. I can't help feeling like my life just got a lot more complicated.

###

Three Days Later

I yelp as an arrow zips past my face. I spin around and run in the opposite direction.

I was currently being hunted by a team of guards, some of who, as it turned out, were archers. Fantastic.

I speed up as my paws meet recognizable terrain. I sprint then leap, launching myself up the steep face of Knights Cliff.

I back away from the face, and look down at the guards who were cursing as they continued to fire arrows at me.

I turn tail and run as one of those arrows got just a bit too close for comfort.

Arriving at my meadow just as the sun began to dip below the horizon, I slip into my den, growling lowly to myself.

I plop myself down close to the wall, huffing. After a few moments of sulking, I begin anew on the project I had been working on this last week.

"Rrrrr, horrwoo... hhhewroo"

My new vocal cords were unused to making these sounds, and I haven't yet figured out how to position my tongue and teeth... but I was getting there.

"Hhellll-rrwoo" I growled, my voice low and gravelly. I growled in frustration, focusing on my tongue movements "Helroww" I continued, narrowing my eyes "Hello" I grinned, saying it again.

I laughed in joy, finally havering figured it out. My voice was still growly and rough, but at least it was something!

"Hello, human" I growled, carefully dragging out the second word so I could get used to it.

Pleased with my progress, I curled in on myself and shut my eyes.

###

My eyes wrench open. I'm on my stomach, looking into the darkness of my den.

I am confused as to what woke me, as I was having a rather pleasant dream involving a heard of sheep and an idiotic young farm boy.

I twitch my ears, searching for any sound that might be out of place. I creep up the slope of my den, looking out into the darkness of the meadow.

I can only just make out a shadow in the pale moonlight, moving along in the distance.

I stifle a growl, eyes narrowing at the darkness. I sniff at the cool night air, scooting closer to the mouth of the den. The scent was faint from this far away, yet slightly familiar... another hunter? No, no, further back...

My eyes widen at my sudden realization. It was the human that attacked me last month! What was he doing here? Perhaps he was tracking me...

I shuffle back from the mouth of my den, crouching down as low as I can, glaring out into the meadow.

The minutes that tick by feel like hours, with me waiting to fight for my life. My heart hammers in my chest and adrenaline pumps through my veins, urging me to run. I stay put, not daring to so much as twitch.

An agonized scream echoes out into the night. My ears prick, recognizing the scream as the human that had attacked me.

I lunge from my den, looking around frantically, and wondering what had attacked my attacker.

I see a figure in the distance, writhing on the ground. I hesitantly walk over, placing one paw in front of the other, slowly and deliberately, prepared to dart in the other direction at a moment's notice.

Reaching the human, I stay a few paces away, pacing up and down its length, growling lowly. I noticed absently that the human appeared to be male.

I leap back as the human's arm snaps in an unnatural way, contorting as though broken.

I lower my head to the ground, stalking forward and sniffing at the arm. I blink, backing up a bit. The human's scent is tinged with my own.

No, no, that makes no sense, I was attacked by him weeks ago, my scent should be long gone. Speaking of, something about it is... wrong, I think as I pace. I frown, sniffing the human again, I dash a few feet away as he contorts again with a cry of agony.

The scent of blood hits the air and I recoil, pulling my lips back slightly. I growl lowly, sneezing.

I stalk forward, sniffing at the human once more. Except... he doesn't smell human. No, he smells... like... like me, but not quite me. He smells... wolf.

Understanding hits me like a ton of bricks. Not possible... yet, nether was me turning into a wolf until it happened.

The human contorted again, the movement ripping an agonized cry from him.

My brows draw together as I gaze at the man with sympathy. I don't remember much from my turning, but I do remember it being painful.

What do I do? I can't just-- leave him, can I? My mind races frantically as I continue to pace, eyes flicking back to the human every so often. I have a feeling this is going to be a long night...