Think we can do it, Fierce?

I walked alone through the forest, my feet sinking into the dry leaves and damp earth. As I walked, my mind went back six years, to when I was a young black-furred wolf, agile and swift. Back then, I traversed the same path in my lupine form, running with speed and grace. By my side was Hunter, my adopted brother, childhood best friend, and the owner of my heart, even though he didn't know it.

We were inseparable back then, and our time together was filled with adventures and play. We raced through the forest, testing our limits and honing our hunting skills. Hunting together was a bond we shared, a way to connect with our wolf nature.

On that day, we encountered prey worthy of our pursuit: a majestic moose with imposing antlers reaching toward the sky. Its eyes displayed a mix of fear and courage as it watched our movements cautiously.

Hunter, with his gray fur, looked at me with a challenge in his eyes. “Think we can do it, Fierce?” he asked, his tone filled with amusement.

I smiled, my wolf tongue curling in a gesture of confidence. “Of course, Hunter. This will be a piece of cake.”

We took off in a swift run after the moose, our paws moving in perfect harmony, as if we were one. Adrenaline surged through our veins, and the feeling of freedom was intoxicating. Hunting was more than an instinct for us; it was an expression of our identity as wolves.

The prey was close, and I could smell its fur. The race was intense, but we were about to catch it when a guttural and threatening sound echoed through the forest. A massive grizzly bear, with its dark and powerful fur, appeared out of nowhere, blocking our path.

Our eyes widened in surprise and fear, and we slowed down, quickly veering to avoid a collision with the enormous predator. The bear stared at us with fierce eyes and sharp teeth, its presence dominating the surroundings. It was a brutal reminder that, even as wolves, there were threats in the forest we couldn't underestimate.

Hunter and I backed away, maintaining a safe distance from the bear. Our ears were erect, attentive to every move of the predator. The moose, taking advantage of the confusion, disappeared into the woods, escaping our hunt.

Our survival instincts kicked in, and we turned immediately to flee from the bear. We were wolves, strong and agile, but a bear of that size was a formidable threat. We ran with all our might, the sound of the bear's heavy footsteps echoing behind us.

Hunter was to my left, and I could feel the pressure of his eyes on me as we ran. I knew he was willing to fight and die to protect me, and I would do the same for him. But running was our only option at that moment.

As we neared the trees, I could feel the bear's hot breath on my fur, its claws scraping my flank. A cry of desperation escaped my lips, but I kept running, determined not to be the monster's prey.

Finally, we reached the trees, and with one last effort, we plunged into the dense vegetation, escaping the bear's sight and reach. The furious roar of the predator echoed through the forest, but we were already too far for it to catch us.

We realized that the bear was not interested in us; it was more concerned with protecting its territory than attacking us. We breathed a sigh of relief, but the adrenaline continued to pump through our veins. Hunter and I looked at each other, our hearts racing and our breath heavy.

Hunter approached me, his fur brushing against mine. “That was a close one, Fierce,” he said, his voice filled with relief. “I guess the moose won this round.”

I turned to him, our eyes meeting in a bond that transcended words. “You know, Hunter, I won't tell Alastair that you ran from the bear. It's our little secret.”

Hunter pushed me gently, a playful smile on his lips. “You won't tell because you know I only ran because I knew you wouldn't handle it.”

I playfully rolled my eyes and pushed Hunter back with my snout. “I could have easily handled the bear. You underestimate my strength.”

Our playfulness soon turned into a friendly scuffle, with harmless teeth and claws, but our determination and competitive spirit were intense. We rolled on the leaf-covered ground, each trying to take the other down.

In the end, Hunter used his superior strength to pin me to the ground, leaves scattering around us. He lay on top of me, our faces inches apart. Our eyes met, and the heat of the moment was palpable.

I gazed deeply into Hunter's eyes, waiting for a touch that could change everything. But before our snouts could touch, a distant shout broke the spell.

A group of fellow lupines, led by Caleb, Hunter's best friend, appeared. Caleb was a brown-furred wolf and one of Hunter's closest friends. He called to us, laughing and teasing Hunter.

“Leave your little sister to play, and come with us, Hunter! It's time for you to become a man!” Caleb shouted with a mischievous smile.

I stayed on the ground, watching the scene with curiosity as Hunter moved slightly away from me, his eyes meeting Caleb's. What Caleb meant by “become a man” intrigued me, and a twinge of jealousy mixed with my emotions.

“What did Caleb mean by 'become a man'?” I asked Hunter, with a serious expression.

“I need to go with them, Fierce. They're heading to Denver, the nearby city outside the forest.”

The news caught me off guard. “But how are you going to get there?”

He gave me a meaningful look, and I knew exactly what he was talking about. “You know how, Fierce.”

My irritation grew. Alastair, the alpha of the pack and a father figure to both of us, had forbidden wolves to go to the city as humans without his permission. It was a rule I took seriously, but Hunter seemed to have a different level of concern.

I stared at Hunter, my voice heavy with disappointment. “Alastair has forbidden it, and you know it, Hunter. He doesn't want us leaving the forest as humans without permission.”

Hunter shrugged, as if the danger of defying this rule was something he could simply ignore. “My dad will never find out, unless you open your mouth.”

I glared at Hunter, exasperated by his audacity. He was suggesting that I become an accomplice to breaking the pack's rules. I looked at Caleb, who was waiting for Hunter's response. Then I looked back at Hunter and said, “I won't tell Alastair, as long as you take me with you.”

Caleb impatiently asked if Hunter was coming or not, and Hunter looked at me. “You can come, Fierce.”

My heart leaped with joy. It was the first time I would have the opportunity to visit the human world, something I had longed to do for a long time. The unknown of the human world stretched before me, and I was ready to explore it, alongside Hunter.