I watch with wide frightened eyes as the smaller wolf grasps onto Sulan. He seems almost satisfied with his bite but as Sulan pushes him away, his eyes fall on me and I gasp, knowing he has not been distracted from his prize. I turn to run, bolting forward with all the speed I have but my head snaps side to side. Which way is Diveen again? In my panic, I have lost all direction and that's all it takes to slow me down just enough. I feel his teeth grip my back leg and I cry out instantly as I jerk it free, feeling his canine gash through the thin skin and muscle of my hock. It buckles beneath me as I try to bring it under me and my body follows, collapsing as I roll, screaming in agony. My leg feels like it's on fire.

I look back into the eyes of my attacker, my breath stopping in my throat as I merely stare into his eyes. In that moment, I feel no fear. If anything, I feel a strange connection to my attacker, as if I understand why he's doing what he's doing. He is hungry. He wishes for food and the power of someone's life between his jaws. He wishes for absolution, satisfaction of the kill. In these moments as I stare into his eyes, I am not afraid to die. I am only disappointed that I might not live to feel that same satisfaction. What if I never get to kill?

I wait for it to come, whether it be my death or my salvation. I know that Sulan will not stand by and let another wolf end me right here in front of him. He would never allow that and yet I feel a bit bad for the wolf that he won't get his satisfaction today. Then again, he could always turn on Sulan and maybe then he will know triumph at the sake of my mentor and friend. I feel a brief sadness for this, that it would be Sulan as the sacrifice but at the same time, I know that the wolf would be grateful for any sacrifice he can get.

Why am I thinking like this? Why do I not fight for my life? Maybe if I didn't fight for it in the beginning, maybe I'm not worthy of it anyway.