Shadowwyn Moor Don't you know it is just the chemicals in our veins that causes pain?

Shadowpaw’s strong instinct of self preservation prevented her from trying anything risky, mind overwhelmed as her new reality sunk in.

She hobbled a distance further in the shadow of the ebony man until he stopped to call another.

Yelp! Shadowpaw cried out in surprise when she was suddenly thrusted face-down into the snow. Threatening fangs hovered so near the girl felt the heat of the reindeer herder’s breath – his ugly, hollow eye socket a cautionary warning.

Ghost talker. Holy man. Give respect.

Starclan give me strength, Shadowpaw inwardly pleaded as her owlish eyes glimpsed up at the sky.

~

A wolf answered the call and Shadowpaw watched him approach with a disdainful gaze. He was tall, but slab-sided, with a russet colored pelage. Young, she gleaned, unlike her captor. What she hated most of all was his aloof expression. As if taking a hostage and mistreating them wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

She seethed, bitter, and pressed her hot, damp cheek to the ground.