Hunger drove the kalak forward through the trees, her cool mint green orbs taking in the scenery as she slowly moved through the forest. It had been a while since she had been outside of the pack lands, and she didn’t want to travel too far from her den. She knew that she needed to eat, but she also knew that the hunt would make her tired and she would want to sleep after. But her paws carried her further and further from home, her muscles relaxing more as she stretched and used them more. She knew that it meant she would be sorer later, but for now it was worth it. Shilo’s long legs carried her as she weaved through the trees, keeping to the shadows to try and stay hidden from any prey that may be around. Her large audettes were alert, listening to every sound that the forest made. The fresh scent of rabbit reached her nares, and all of her senses focused on that. The teen didn’t realize that there was another being nearby in the trees, stalking her as she was stalking the rabbit. Her form moved into a crouch, her russet and black fur hiding in the brush as she slowly moved forward. She was careful not to step on even a leaf, not wanting to scare her prey. Even though she was weak, she was still able to properly stalk the rabbit, the smaller being unaware that it was being watched. It was ironic really that Shilo didn’t realize that she too was prey, being stalked and watched by another beast in the shadows. Though what that other hidden beast would do was unclear, unlike the kalak’s intentions to take down her prey.
Once the rabbit was in site and Shilo thought she was close enough, she leapt forward, her muscles propelling her towards her target. But she had underestimated her abilities, and landed short of the target. Within seconds the rabbit was gone, and she knew that she wouldn’t find it again. A growl of annoyance at herself left her throat. If only she had been more careful she would have gotten it. A loud rumble from her stomach reminded her of how hungry she truly was, and she knew she couldn’t give up. Standing up with a grumble, she turned to keep looking when vocals from a stranger reached her ears. "Oops, what a shame, try again, I'm sure you'll get it next time" The teen whipped around, not realizing that there was anyone else here with her. But she saw no one. Mint green orbs slowly looked through the trees, trying to figure out who had spoken to her. But there was no one there. If someone was hiding, why would they have spoken up? Was she going crazy? Shilo shook her head, turning back to her goal to try and find some new prey. She must have just imagined the voice, her hunger driving her towards insanity. But then laughter reached her ears, from the other side of where the voice had come from. The kalak froze, her audettes trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. Her head whipped from side to side, trying to see what was going on. She thought she saw the form of what could be a wolf, but it was gone within seconds.
Shilo closed her eyes, trying to see if this was all in her head or if there was really something there. Could she have starved herself enough to be having hallucinations? She figured it was possible. She didn’t really know. But what else would explain a voice that came from nowhere? A part of her wanted to run, but the still fully sane part of her knew she was too weak for that. So she remained where she was for the moment, the voice and laughter silent. Maybe she really had made it all up in her head. But then the voice came back, and her eyes darted open trying to see who was there. "Ooohooohooo loooky there, an op-or-tu-ni-ty! go ahead deary.......... try again." For the first time since hearing the voice, fear struck through her. She wasn’t sure what was worse. If this was a made up wolf in her head, or if it was a real wolf teasing her. But when her eyes spotted the vole right in front of her, everything else disappeared. The hunger was too strong for her to ignore it, even if there was a bigger problem going on. The smaller prey wasn’t moving, and it was closer than the rabbit had been. Not hesitating, she pushed herself forward, her paws snapping down on the poor being. Within seconds she had snapped it’s neck, and the smell of fresh prey reached her nares. With a carnal snarl she tore into the flesh, finally getting a meal after so long without. She forgot about the voice and the laughter, forgot that there was a wolf, whether real or a hallucination, somewhere in the trees behind her. All she cared about was calming the pain and anger from her empty stomach.
The meal was smaller than she wanted it to be. It seemed to barely calm the ravenous beast, if anything it had awoken it more. Licking her muzzle she stood, telling herself that she had made up the voice and that there was nothing to worry about. She was trying to convince herself that she had even imagined the shadow that could have been a wolf in the shadows. Why would another varg be hiding in the shadows from her? She clearly was no threat to anyone, so there would be nothing for them to gain by following her. But her cool mint green eyes still darted left and right, questioning every shadow. Was there someone out there? Shaking her head to clear it once again, she tried to tell herself she was being silly. She needed to focus on the task at hand, not on some made up voice that wasn’t real. And so she went to continue on through the trees, knowing she needed more food before she would be satisfied.
Picture and table credit to Casey!
//Shilo//Fae//Daughter of Shae and Caspian//Sister to Tiresias, Malina, and Rylan//Crith Thalmhainn//Teen//Violet//
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