Chapter 8: Eight

Karina’s POV

I stood froze. Unable to move as the first wolf lunged towards me.

I didn't think to run. Or step out of the way atleast. I couldn't.

He lunged at me. His body slammed into mine before I could prepare myself for the impact. I tried to move them but was too slow.

Before I could get back on my feet another attacked me. Knocking me off my feet. I feel on the ground. Immediately screaming from the pain.

I took a quick glance around me. My heart was beating so fast it felt it was going to explode.

Run! Move. Do something. My mind screamed at my but my body remained stuck like it didn't get the memo.

They all circled around me. Inching closer every second. They were fast. Too fast for me it seemed.

I heard one of the growl behind. The sound sent shivers down my spine. Then another growl. Then another.

I knew what was able to happen. They were tired of waiting and ready to attack.

I took terrified to do anything laid on the floor helpless.

“Get up!” Kole’s yelled. His voice piercing through the chaos.

My body listened slowly this time. I barely rolled out of the way. When a wolf attached me. His claws scrapped the ground nearly grazing my skin.

My mind immediately went into panic mood. What can of nightmare have I trapped myself in.

Move. Move. Move. I screamed at my mind but the fear in my heart was so loud it drowned out the sound.

This was the same thing that happened the night Kole saved me. But atleast even then I tried to run.

I knew I could get and try to fight. But the truth is I was too scared. I've never done this before.

I don't know how to fight. All my life all I've done was survive the bad things life kept throwing ny way.

My throat closed up. It was drying out. Begging for water but the only thing I could do was to face this.

This time another wolf charged straight at me.

I didn't stand helpless this time. I raised my arms in front of me trying to cushion the effect. It was a weak attempt to defend myself and didn't help sadly.

The force from the wolf colliding with me. Sent me flying in the air. Then hitting the ground seconds later like a sack filled with grain.

I felt the tears sting the corners of my eyes as pain washed all over my body. I could hear the other wolves gathering. Laughing and pointing fingers at me

They thought I was panic. Weak. Easy to take advantage of. Just the same way my pack members thought of me.

I stood slowly. A pathetic depiction of life. Why wouldn't I just stay down and accept my fate already.

The wolves circled me inching closer every second like I was prey they were hunting. Ready to eat. At least even the animals in the forest knew to run. Even when afraid.

Tears rolled down my checks now.

“Fight,” Kole yelled at me. His voice sounded far away. I urned around trying to find a way. But my eyes were spinning too much to focus. I felt like I was about to throw up.

Just then another of them attacked me. I just stood still. I didn't even try to block him this time.

I let out a loud scream as he slammed into me. I felt his claw dig into my arms. And closed my eyes preparing for the pain. I wasn't even a worthy prey.

Tears blurred my vision as I struggled beneath it, pushing weakly against its body.

“I can’t. Please help me. I can't do this

” I cried out. My voice broke into tears as I screamed from the pain and humiliation.

The wolves on me froze and losenned their grip on me. As a voice filled the air.

“Enough.” Kole voice yelled. It was loud and commanding. And sent the wolves back.

The weight on me reduced instantly as the wolf pulled back, one by one.

I lay on the floor. For a few minutes. I wasn't sure what kept me there for so long.

Was it shame?. Pain? Maybe both.

I closed my eyes tightly. How more pathetic could I be.

Eventually I mustered the strength to get up. Slowly though. My eyes remained glued on the floor. As I stood defeated. Holding my arms that was bleeding slightly from the attack.

Kole stopped in front of me.

He coughed and used his hands to push my head up. Forcing me to look at his face.

He's expression was unreadable mostly. But I could tell he was disappointed. Maybe even disgusted at my weakness.

“You froze.” he said.

“ I'm sorry. I tried. ”

“No.” His voice cut through mine“You panicked. It was pathetic.”

Before I could get more words out to defend myself.

He interrupted again, his tone sharp but controlled. “The world you came from might have allowed you to be soft. But you're going to have to learn softness won't get you anything here.”

“i'm sorry.” I said unable to think of anything else to say. I closed my hand tightly. My nails digging into my palms.

“I told you to fight. Not think. Not hesitate. Not stand there crying like a baby. I said Fight.”

“I was trying,” I began but cut myself off. Even to my own ears. I sounded weak. That wasn’t trying.

“You felt it, didn’t you?” he said quietly.

I looked away. Trying to hide the tear drops falling from my eyes.

“The moment they surrounded you,” he continued. “That fear. That instinct telling you to run or give up.”

My breath caught.

Because I had felt it.

That overwhelming urge to just… stop.

To accept it.

To let it happen.

“And you choose to listen to the one telling you to give up.” he said.

I looked away. He was right and I felt ashamed for it.

“I thought you were different Karina. I thought you had more fight in you than that.”

“I can do better. I promise. I just need time.”

“No. Can't you see you don’t have the luxury of time,” he said.

His gaze dropped briefly to the faint blood staining my clothes, then back to my eyes.

“No one is going to wait for you to figure it out. It's a dog eat dog world we live in. You either brace up and fight or accept your fate and get eaten.”

" If you want to stay here. Then you have to be ruthless. Go they'll tend to your wounds. Tomorrow we'll continue again. Maybe at a slowly pace this time. Since you're too weak for this." He said and walked away.