and I heard 'em say

nothings ever promised tomorrow today

What has brought the girl out this day? When the sun is just awakening to cast gentle rays upon the world, she is moving. Her breath comes in soft puffs as she leaps from a boulder, her muscles flexing beneath her luxurious coat. Her landing is smooth as her toes spread out to grip the earth before propelling her forward. Her eyes are sharp as she weaves in and out of the wooden maze, careful in her trajectory. Ears, ever alert, swivel as she takes in the animals around her. To her left a rabbit scurries, its frantic heartbeat could be discerned in its haste to flee. Belly growls, as saliva floods her mouth but it is not time to eat, not yet. Instead she buckles down and pushes herself harder, further into the forest. A sleek predator, yet on this morn she is naught but an observer. Tail whips out to balance her frame as she bears a hard right, paws pounding the surface and disturbing the leaf litter.

Mind suddenly flares as a memory comes unbidden, one of her running. Fear laces her blood as ice grips her muscles. If she doesn’t flee she will die and with the determination of one hunted she pumps. Her blood roars in her ears as she lowers her head, her paws stretching out before her as she covers as much ground as she can with each stride. The forest before her shimmers to that of a valley, the soft calls of birds replaced by low growls. Omega. The word rings out within her mind as she pants, tongue now lolling from her mouth but she dare not slow. Instead she launches herself in the air, paws gripping the bark of a tree and pushing off, sending her in another direction. Bark is sent flying from her little stunt but she has little time to revel in her little accomplishment. Instead she barrels forward for she knew only too well the consequences of being caught.

Suddenly, as if brought to her nose and her nose only, the cologne of male wafts around her. It clings to her as if it belonged there all along and the only thing she can think of is “omega.” Memory wrestles with reality as she prepares herself to round another tree, this one massive with twisting roots. Vivid emerald eyes note the mossy exterior and adjusts her grip to accommodate yet she does not notice the massive figure that impedes her way until the last moment.

OMEGA.

A soft growl is emitted from her vocals as she skids, a train wreck just waiting to happen. If he doesn’t move she will surely collide into him. If he does not move out of the way she will lash out, unwilling to be taken. Her teeth will seek purchase anywhere as she tries to grab him with her front paws. If he does manages to move out of the way she will only slid to a stop where he was. Yet she will not stay still, she will righten herself quickly and release a warning growl. Trapped within memory, her reality is hazy and the only thing that repeats within the cavern of her mind is one fact. Avoid the pain, don’t be caught.