The sound of baying hounds filled the air as a lone wolf sped through the forest. He had been running for almost a half an hour, though by now it felt like days. The hunters were not far behind him urging their horses faster and faster, and as they drew nearer their cries supplemented themselves to those of the barking dogs, all of whom pursued him. All of this was for a goat. Just one small insignificant prize-winning goat. A goat that had not even tasted very good in the first place.
Of all the livestock why did I have to kill that goat? The wolf wondered in despair. Now the hunters were even nearer and the hounds were within sight of him. All six dogs dashed after him their excitement carrying them onwards endlessly at a pace the wolf knew he could not hope to outmatch. A loud ‘BANG’ shattered the forests calm causing frightened birds to take to the sky like large feathery clouds. The sound caused the wolf to stumble and immediately the hounds were upon him sinking their fangs into his flesh. Fear locked its iron-strong hands around the wolf’s mind, temporarily paralyzing him. For an impossibly long moment the whole world faded into darkness, and all that remained was his pain gripping him like the jaws of the hounds.
Anger tore at his heart as the wolf struggled to free himself.
“It is not my fault I’m starving. It is not my fault they killed all of my prey. It‘s…” He stopped mid-snarl.
It was pointless to tell them these things. No matter how convincing or sincere he was the hounds were born to obey their masters and nothing he could say would ever change that. Suddenly, as if someone had flipped the on switch to a lamp, the world was visible again. Another gunshot sounded and pain lanced through the wolf’s shoulder. Bucking wildly the wolf managed to throw the dogs and with a slight limp he renewed his flight. Onwards he sped faster than ever before; propelled by both fear and the hope that he could somehow escape his assailants. A steady rivulet of blood ran down the wolf‘s wounded shoulder, marring his silver pelt like rust on a shiny nail.
“Why can’t they just leave me alone?” He whined, desperately trying not to slow his gait.
Once more the hounds pursued him, though now they seemed more wary. Soon despite his efforts the distance between them grew smaller and the wolf began to realize how pointless his flight was.
“Curse the hounds of men.” He hissed under his breath, though the sound seemed more like a whimper.
Rapidly his pace began to slow until the wolf just stood rooted to the ground, his sides heaving. Time slowed as the wolf watched the hounds rush towards him in a frenzy, their cries piercing him to the bone.
Without warning there came an unexpected chorus of sound from behind him. Dozens of unfamiliar voices filled the air drowning out the sound of the hunters and hounds. Behind him had gathered a massive pack of wolves, their muzzles raised to the sky. He stared at them in wonderment until the hounds fell upon him once more with gaping jaws.
The wolves sprang to meet their comrade’s attackers and together they slowly drove the hounds back. With a panicked yelp the hounds beat a hasty retreat. Behind them the hunters shouted to each other amidst the chaos only to turn their horses in pursuit of their injured dogs.
Silently the pack disappeared into the trees, each member a just drop of water in a silvery-gray ocean. Some time later their howl broke the silence, however this time a new voice joined the song. No longer alone the wolf padded behind them fearlessly and was gone.