Le Cirque De Wolf.
Prologue.
A growl worked its way up my throat as I felt a lethal surge of electricity run through my clydesdale sized body. If I had been a horse I would be standing at eighteen hands. I wasn't. I was a wolf. The humans said I was a new species of wolf. I didn't care. I healed quickly. It didn't mean I didn't feel pain though, and they had to use lethal methods which would kill humans to make me feel pain. I didn't like it. What was worse I never had any signs of the abuse when the day was over. My quick healing saw to that.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present to you the next generation of predators. Do not be scared. This one is fully under our control."
An arrogant male voice announced. I felt the lethal surge of electricity again which was them commanding me to move. I really did hate the collar they put on me. It was so tough even I could not break it and the source of the electricity they inflicted upon me. Forcing the growl to dissapate I moved forwards, striding out confidently into the large arena located under the biggest tent the circus owned. I had provided them a lot of money over the years since everyone wanted to see the next generation of predators. Most assumed I was a maneater. I had no desire for human flesh. I prefered deer or elk. The circus people gave me horse or beef, and most of the time it was the spoiled cut offs no decent butcher or animal would want to eat.
A gasp ran through the crowd as I stood in the centre of the arena with a large spotlight on me. My lips curled, revealing my sharp teeth as I dared them to become a threat. None did. Most shivered in fear. I wasn't a spectaculary unique colour. In fact I found my colouring rather ordinary. It was a base dark chocolate colour with red and blonde streaks running through it which could be seen in the right light. My eyes however did stand out as they were a cobalt blue. I got the sense it was a family trait, although I couldn't remember ever being in a pack.
A snap was heard the second the cat 'o nine tails touched my back. I may not be human but it still sent pain through my system causing my muscles to tense and a growl to rip through my throat and out of my mouth. This caused another wave of fear to go through the crowd although it did not dull their sense of awe. There was another slap to my back demanding I move. Reluctantly I prowled around the arena only to pause as a scent hit me. My head spun, gaze locked on the source of the scent. It was sickly sweet causing the word 'threat' to blare in my head. However after a deep inhalation I realised the brunette female was not the source of the scent. The scent was on her, the source someone else possible male, but it was not her. Beneath the sickly sweet scent was another, also not her, but mouth watering. It reminded me of pine trees, nature, fresh water, and earth. I wanted that scent. Everything in me that was wolf perked up and wanted the source of that scent. Beneath that scent was finally the female's own personal scent although to me it was nothing special. I noticed there seemed to be recognition in her eyes although the older male besides her, her father I noticed from the body language as well as similiar features, did not share the recognition. I had never seen anyone display such recognition in her eyes. I noticed her mouth move, and although I knew she was speaking in a whisper my large ears picked up everything she said.
"I'm going to get you out. I know friends, other wolves, they will help."
I frowned, confused as to her words. I knew human language, of course, but I did not understand as to why this female was so concerned about me. Sure, I wanted freedom, but why mention other wolves? I had been a loner all my life - well I could only assume - so why would I have want for a pack? I shook my head, feeling another slap to my back, before continuing my prowling around the arena.
As I went to bed that night, locked up in a cage amongst the other animals, I found myself thinking of the human female. Humans were such odd creatures. Shaking my head I forced my eyes to close, and before I knew it I fell into a peaceful slumber.
I woke up to an overwhelming sickly sweet scent flooding the entire tent where the animals were kept. Where I was kept. I shot up onto all four paws, snarling as I let my senses locate where the sources of the scent were. They were outside coming towards the tent. I faced the front of the tent, the animals going crazy around me in their fear, as I waited for the threats to emerge. Blood red eyes could be seen in the darkness, and I noticed how they simply looked at me without bothering with the other animals. I soon found the leaders of the pack, three males who stood taller then the rest, as they took down their hoods. One blonde and two black haired males. They weren't particulary attractive for human males - well, what I assumed were human males despite the fact they seemed off - but appearance did not make the threat. My instincts roared out knowing they were a threat and so I snarled again, pinning my ears to my skull.
"Its a bitch."
A small blonde female announced, causing my attention to briefly focus on her. It surprised me she had gotten so close so fast. She was right outside the cage I was in now. I shoved my paw through the bars and took a swipe at her but the female was too fast, dodging my attack. I would have been able to attack better if I could get out of this cage.
"Thankyou Jane. Now, what to do with her."
A black haired male asked, one of the leaders who seemed more dominant then the other two leaders. I watched as the one called Jane bowed her head to the male in respect. So this male must be the alpha of their pack. I turned my attention to him and growled at him, making it clear I was not happy in the cage or near them. He just laughed in response though causing my anger to soar. My teeth longed to slice through the male's skin and it annoyed me to no length that I was unable to.
"Felix, knock her out."
The male spoke. In response a large bulky male came towards my cage. He must be Felix. I backed up as he got to the door, snarling at him as my bottom pressed against the cold bars on the other side of the cage. I listened as a key turned in the lock before the cage door was swung open. Without a second thought I launched myself at Felix, causing us both to fly away from the cage. His body landed on the ground with a thud, creating a large crater where he landed, with me stood on top. Unfortunately we landed right infront of the three leaders. At the same moment the leaders, Jane, Felix, and two others ( one male, a twin it seemed of the one called Jane, and a female who seemed to stick close to the alpha ) attacked me. It took all my agility, speed, and strength to dodge them, knowing somehow if their teeth got into my flesh it would be the end for me. I managed during the fight to get to the front opening of the tent. With a mischevious look in my blue eyes I bolted, running with all the speed I had into the horizon. Unfortunately due to the fact I was not fed enough by the circus humans to properly sustain me I knew I was in a weakened state. The fight had took a fair bit out of me, and so I would have to find a place to hide for the night as soon as possible.
I bolted through civilsation following the scent of fresh water. Just as I set paw into a forest I heard howling in the distance. I almost paused in my run, but smelling the threats from the circus seeking me a fair bit behind I continued running. I would not be caught again.
A yawn escaped my mouth as I raised my bottom in the air as I stretched. I had been fortunate to find a cave hidden behind a waterfall. By scent would be dissapated by the water and mud I had rolled in so I had been able to have an uninterrupted sleep. It had been a while since I had been able to sleep as well as I had last night. The familiarity of nature had lulled me into a peaceful oblivion and I was loathed to leave it. However I had to keep moving. It was ingrained in my DNA and just made sense since I had a threat on my tail. Most packs had one territory but because it was usually so big they often travelled around it, always moving. Rogue wolves moved all the time since they were weaker alone then a pack of wolves. It was infuriating it was so, in my opinion, but it was logical fact. Whilst a elk stag would be rather easy prey for a pack of wolves it would be a harder prey for a singular wolf. It was just how things went. It was the law of nature.
I leaped out of the cave, through the cascading of the waterfalls' water, and into the lagoon the waterfall fell into. Shaking my head I got rid of the excess water as I paddled through the lagoon to the bank. I hauled myself up the bank before shaking my entire body to get rid of the excess water all over my body. Happy I was decently dry I trotted through the trees as I scented the air. Locating a herd of elk nearby my ears pricked up and a happiness spread through my bones. Fresh meat. Hunting. Elk. Everything I had missed and craved. Without a single hesitation I bounded through the forest, leaping from spot to spot in my happiness. As soon as I got close though I crawled along the ground, my belly rubbing against the forest floor, as I crept up on the herd. I sniffed the air again, making sure there were no other predators before I moved in closer. I kept my gaze locked on the stag, noticing the herd already had a younger male who would easily take the place of the elder, before I shot out of my cover. I easily outran the fleeing herd, leaping on top of the stag. I put all my weight on the stag causing him to falter before he fell to the ground in a heap. After all I was bigger and heavier - due to muscle not fat as far as I was concerned, then again every female always said that - then the stag. I sunk my teeth into the flesh of the elk's neck before snapping it. I spent the afternoon lazily eating the elk stag and sunbathing in what sunlight the afternoon could afford. With a decent sleep, nature around me, and a good meal in my belly I was entirely satisfied so I saw no need to move for the time being.
Life was looking up, and boy was it good.