Chapter one: Mia

Mia’s POV

There was nothing for hours and hours on end.

It’s been four months since I ended up here. Four long months of surviving off berries, roots, whatever I could find.

Some days, I didn’t eat at all.

Just the thought of something hot... like a deer roasting in the fire made my mouth water. I could almost taste it, even though I knew it was just in my head.

"I need to find a deer," I thought as I moved through the cold forest, my paws sinking into the snow. The wind was strong again today, and it made everything harder. I hadn’t seen a single animal for hours. If I didn’t have my warm fur, I probably wouldn’t last here. I sniffed the air, looked around the fallen trees, and scanned the area, searching for any sign of movement.

I was damn hungry, and my stomach didn't stop reminding me that I needed food soon or starve to death.

Suddenly, I spotted one.

A miracle deer stood alone in the distance, shivering as it looked for shelter—a shelter that would be my stomach soon.

My tongue slid across my teeth as I crouched low.

“I can hear its heartbeat,” I muttered as my body tensed. This was it. My legs were ready to run if need be. I kept my eyes on the deer and waited for the moment it would drop its guard, thinking the only predator around was the cold.

I leapt forward. The deer noticed and tried to run, but I was faster, making sure my claws held on to its neck, tight. It let out a short, startled cry before blood spurted out. I winced, feeling sorry already. I didn't mean to be that deadly, but there was no way I was going to let any food run away from me again.

Just then, a quick rustle in the trees nearby stopped me.

I froze.

Okay, that didn't sound like another deer. I held my breath, but after a few seconds, nothing else followed. It was probably just the wind or some dumb bird trying to act important.

I shook the thought off and got back to my kill, dragging 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 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. From there, I observed my accomplishments for the past month.

My home was just a sleeping bag laid over a patch of drying moss. It wasn’t much, but it was somewhat soft and warm enough to get me through the night. I had built a small fireplace with the stones and twigs I had gathered myself.

It may be simple, but with the howling wind, it was working. My father taught me how to build it. Bless his soul.

Once I was done with my business, I cleaned up and picked up the deer. Carefully, I laid it near the fire on a flat stone. The smell of wet leaves and the raw scent of the meat made my stomach rumble.

It hurt so damn bad.

I worked quietly, talking to myself like I always did. But the blade made a scraping sound I couldn't stand. It was too blunt and way too loud. Anyone nearby could hear it and come to investigate. I shook my head, remembering how fast everything in my life had changed. From royalty to a life in this godforsaken forest.

I opened the deer's belly and let the insides fall to the ground. Then I tied the deer to a spit and set it over the fire. Once the flames rose, filling the air with smoke, I huddled close to the heat.

Now, this was food. Real food. When the scent spread quickly, I knew it could call other predators too. However, I watched and perked my ears so that a creature wouldn't perceive my treat and decide it wanted it.

As the deer roasted, I imagined being part of a pack. It felt good to pretend I wasn’t alone. At least it would be a life better than this. I proceeded to turn the deer to its side, smiling when it turned golden brown.

Maybe I was finally getting the hang of this. It made me wonder if this was going to be my way of life—being out here, like some lost thing.

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. I wrapped my arms around myself and leaned more into the fire.

Then it happened again.

The same damn rustle... this time, it was closer and louder. I sat up straight, fixing my eyes in the direction of the sound. This wasn’t the wind or the trees swaying. My eyes scanned the canopy above me. The birds weren't chirping. It was like the whole forest was dead.

My heart thudded hard in my chest as I turned my head slowly, scanning the emptiness between the trees.

My ears strained.

There it was again.

That was no animal footsteps. I rose to my feet quietly, grabbing the knife beside me. My fingers tightened around the handle.

Something... no... someone was out there.

And that was dangerous for me.