Chapter one: Mia

Mia's POv

There was nothing for hours and hours on end.

I woke up to another cold morning in the forest, surrounded by howling winds and rain. It had been months since I found myself in this harsh world, surviving on what little food I could scavenge.

The thought of a deer roasting in the fire, made my mouth water.

"I need to find a deer." My mind urged me on, taking me to places I didn't even know existed. It was hard to see animals to hunt this place. The cold contributed to the hardship. If not for my warm fur, there was no way I was going to survive here.

Sniffing around, I paused to look over the dried fallen trees. My eyes darted from tree to tree finding any unfortunate deer that found itself in my claws soon. Every movement in the snow made my heart race as I could find something to eat soon. A succulent deer.

In the distance was one cold deer, looking for shelter against the cold. My tongue scraped my teeth in anticipation.

"I can almost hear its heartbeat," I muttered under my breath, crouching low to see it pause for a moment.

Time seemed to slow as my instincts took over, guiding my every move. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to spring into action at the slightest opportunity. This was the moment I had been waiting for– to rip its flesh in between my claws and savor its taste.

My stomach growled with anger and hunger as I even imagined more.

My eyes locked onto the deer, my focus unyielding. This was my chance to satiate the hunger that had tormented me for so long this summer.

Preparing to launch myself forward, my mind was consumed with a singular purpose. To kill the deer and take it to my camp. I lunged forward without taking any chances. The deer took off in an attempt to escape from my killer instincts. I didn't waste anymore time as I dragged my claws along its neck and clutched tight.

Then another rustle in the trees nearby startled me. I quickly

In that moment, as the distance between us closed, I knew that my desperation would be met with triumph. The deer would be mine, its succulent flesh providing the sustenance I so desperately needed. And in that moment of capture, the hunger that had plagued me for months would finally be sated.

"Gotcha!" I leaped, stamping my foot on the deer's head. I didn't mean to be that deadly, but there was no way I was going to let the deer run away from me again.

I dragged its heavy body back to the place where I had made camp. Thank goodness it wasn't that far, because then I would have to navigate my movement. My small camp was a modest arrangement I made under a towering canopy of trees. The scent of pine and fallen leaves gave me a warm welcome and it helped me to blend properly with the environment. At least no one would be able to spot me easily. If no one would accept me, then the forest will.

"Shit!" Urine pressed on my bladder. I quickly dropped the deer off to take a dump in my makeshift toilet. There, I observed my accomplishments for the past month.

My home consisted of a simple sleeping bag unfurled against a bed of soft moss, providing a semblance of comfort amidst the rugged wilderness. Nearby, was my already arranged propped-up fireplace that I constructed from rocks and twigs collected. It was a humble arrangement, but one that would serve its purpose flawlessly. I was taught well by my father. Bless his soul.

Once I was done with my business, I cleaned up and picked up the deer on a flat stone near the fireplace. The soft aroma of the forest mingled with the raw scent of the deer, the combination enveloping the air around me. It was the perfect lunch for the perfect weather.

With steady hands, I prepared the deer for roasting, muttering to myself as I worked. I skinned it, removing the fur swiftly. The sound of the blade against the deer's flesh was both sharp, a subtle reminder of how I came to be in this place. The events had been sharp too. I gently opened its belly, revealing its innards. With careful precision, I removed the entrails, allowing them to drop to the floor. With the preparation complete, I propped the deer upright on a makeshift spit, securing it firmly with twine. The flames crackled to life as I ignited the fire, the warmth spreading and casting dancing shadows across the forest floor. The scent of burning wood intertwined with the faint remnants of the deer's musk, creating an intoxicating aroma.

As the deer began to roast, the smell intensified, wafting through the air and beckoning to all nearby creatures. It had an earthy fragrance, a reminder of the care the forest provides to those willing to venture within its depths. The anticipation of the meal ahead heightened my senses, filling me with a primal satisfaction that only a successful hunt could bring.

However, I watched and perked my ears so that a creature wouldn't perceive my treat and decide it wanted it!

I watched the deer slowly cook over the open flame. At that moment, surrounded by the aromas and the crackling fire, I imagined I was in a pack. It would be a better life than this.

I proceeded to turn the deer to its side, smiling when it turned golden brown, the scent captivating my senses. I knew that my efforts had not been in vain. But it made me wonder if this was going to be my way of life. A cursed life forever.

A rogue way of life isn't what I envisioned for myself, and no matter how I try to ignore that and live happily in this forest, the more I get angry and frustrated. When the rain came, it was worse. The cold was biting, and my feet would have blisters around them.

What I wouldn't kill for a hot bath now.