Chapter 2: So close but yet so far

Traeger

I love running in the woods as I search for prey. Lifting my nose up in the air, I inhale the scent of the pine trees and the fresh air. Two of my pack members, Arsenal and Grey, do the same as they run behind me.               The moon is out, and we’re one with nature. We’re all trying to catch a deer before the Institute calls us in.

Arsenal nudges his chin to the trees up ahead and narrows his eyes. “I smell something ahead, Traeger.”

I nod my head in agreement as we traverse through the wild terrain. My pack and I have lived in the Lycan Research Institute all our lives. We’re part of an elite group of Lycans chosen from birth to be soldiers and have spent all of our lives training for war.

According to the Insitute’s top scientist, I am the alpha of my team. Even though I’m only twenty-two years old, I have a great deal of training in firearms and various forms of killing. For nearly two decades, my pack and I have been trained in mixed martial arts, judo, jujitsu, taekwondo, krav maga, and a few other necessary skills. There has never been a moment that we haven’t been trained or educated in some way by the Institutes people.

For as long as I can remember, we do the same thing every day. We eat when we’re told, sleep when we’re told, and bathe when we’re told. We also train together every day.

The scientists in the Institute are the only people we are ever allowed to see. Unfortunately, in their eyes, we’re less than human. To them, we’re things to be used and manipulated. Regrettably, we have no other choice but to follow their orders or suffer the repercussions.

The Institute is a large structure located deep in the woods of Montana. My pack and I merely exist here.

Sometimes we wonder what’s beyond the trees, but there’s no use in wondering because they will never let us go. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t learned a few things about the outside world, though. Years ago, one of the scientists brought in a book with pictures in it. He called it a magazine. The pictures were of females wearing alluring clothing. My pack and I were amazed by what we saw. We’ve never seen a real female before.

All of the scientists in the Institute are males. Sometimes at night, I dream of being with a real female. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone to touch and hold. They looked so soft and sweet in the picture.

To our surprise, the scientist was a fount of information. He was also surprisingly informative. He told us that females are different than we are.

Unfortunately, the scientist disappeared soon after showing us the magazine and never returned. We still have the magazine.

Running through the forest, I jump over logs and climb a few trees in hopes of spotting prey. I’m running for a few minutes until I reach my destination. Extending my claws, I let my body semi transform and release my razor-sharp canines. Our prey is a large doe─perfect.

Grim and the others stop midstep and look back at me, waiting for my permission to attack.

Observing the doe for a moment, I watch as the creature flits and prances around the grass, ignorant of the danger in its midst. Seconds pass before I nod my head. They pounce instantly. Their claws tearing into flesh and their jaws brutally chomping down on the creature’s stomach. While they feast, I stand back, letting my men enjoy their kill.

We are all shirtless, which makes it easier to run. Taking a deep, satisfying breath, I straighten my posture and stretch out my six-foot-five frame.

Lately, my skin has been feeling tight and constricting. Flexing my fists, I look down at my muscled torso and raise my hand to sift my fingers through my ebony locks. My mid-length locks bounce through my fingers as I focus my gray wolf eyes across the forest’s vast expanse.

Inhaling deeply, I watch as Link tears the doe’s throat out as the others finish it off and step closer. Aware of my presence, my packmates step away from the doe and bow their heads in submission.

Flexing my muscles, I lean forward, look into the doe’s innocent eyes, and rip into its chest. The others watch in awe as I pull away, gripping the doe’s still-beating heart in my hand.

A normal human would feel bad about killing the doe, but to us, it’s what we are. We’re predators─animals.

Reaching forward, I release a powerful howl and bite into the heart. The other Lycans throw their heads back and follow my lead.              As our howls weave through the air, we relish the power of our kill. Unfortunately, the thrill of the hunt is short-lived, and reality intrudes.   The Institute’s alarm reverberates around us, warning us to come back home.

Without a word, we seize our howls and run back to our prison. It pains me to go back because I love the freedom of the forest. We have no choice, though. If any of us rebel, the pack pays the price. From birth, the scientists and researchers knew we would become strong and took precautions to control ourselves. Inside our bodies, there are receptors implanted that force us to respond to certain commands. It’s almost as if we become brainless animals. Years ago, a team member tried to resist the call but ended up destroying himself instead.

There is also a GPS tracker implanted in our bodies. I’ve managed to extend its reach without the Institute’s knowledge. However, it only extends to the forest’s perimeter. If we go further, it will send a message to our receptors and incapacitate us.  

I’ve tried to hack into it, but the Institute monitors its technology zealously. I haven’t had the opportunity to hack into the system again. Right now, we are all-powerful prisoners in a cage without bars.