Mysterious man

Her hands automatically covered her eyes, feeling the sunlight on her face. Then, her view opened to bright lights, branches, leaves, and the blue sky above her.

Avana stretched her arms, relieving her aching muscles, feeling the soreness in her still tired legs. But at least her wounds mostly healed as her hands touched her skin.

Suddenly, scrambling to her feet, her eyes scanned the area. Nothing seemed to be out of place, not sensing any threat. Still alone but thankful, she had survived the night.

"Good morning." Chatting with the birds that were once again present this early morning. Her consciousness would have continued sleeping if her bed was not as uncomfortable as this one.

However, her stomach kept churning and burning, reminding her of her lack of food. In her defense, her mind was busy rebelling against the wedding. Food was the last of her concern.

"So much for being a girl scout." Avana pulled herself up, preparing for this long journey, regretting not getting the replenishment her body badly needed when Ivrea offered yesterday.

Then, a crackling sound alerted her of a slight movement behind the bushes, just a few meters away from her position. Her mind immediately thought of a rabbit or a snake, possible food to fill her belly.

But what did she know about catching food and cooking it? She hardly did anything around the house except sleep and eat, preferring to work for her father than cook in the kitchen or do dirty laundry.

Anyway, speaking of dirty clothes, her tattered dress looked worse than yesterday. "Oh!" Her nose could smell its stench from her dried sweat and the dirt sticking on its fabric.

"I need a bath and some clean clothes." Avana had money in her pocket, but what use was it when there was nothing to buy in this deserted place.

She suddenly questioned her rationality for choosing the mountains instead of locking herself in a hotel room with all the amenities. But, of course, that was not an option. They could have easily found her.

Her palm rubbed on her skin, removing the dirt and dry leaves stuck on her body. But the movement reminded her again of food to relieve her hunger.

Slowly crawling toward the moving bush, avoiding making unnecessary noise, she had managed to come closer. However, a cracking sound of dry leaves and twigs breaking resounded in the air as her knees put pressure on the ground.

"That sucks." Unfortunately, her prey was spooked and hopped away to its freedom. The rabbit would live for another day while her belly would have to starve, rubbing it in a circular motion.

Her attention shifted to the trees looming over her. One of these magnificent plants was bound to have fruits to munch on, tilting her head high up to the sky, gazing at its branches and leaves.

Her hands and feet embraced the massive trunk, but getting a grip on its natural grooves was no piece of cake. Even if they had fruits on them, it would be a futile effort. "It was no use." Releasing the tree from her hold and giving up.

Again, her wolf form would have been a great help in acquiring food. The instinct to hunt would always be there. But controlling the beast residing in her would be her challenge.

What now, as her stomach again churned in protest as it demanded its fill. Her head was slightly dizzy, while her body shook, weakening as it sought nourishment.

Another movement on the other side of the bushes caught her attention. It was faint but nearer this time. But what if it was a snake this time, contemplating to have a go for it.

How to kill it? Then, instinct kicked in as her body rushed and dived for it. Desperation and hunger fueled her body as adrenaline pumped into her veins, and the next thing she knew.

"I caught it." Avana shrieked in excitement, feeling the animal in her hand. It was like magic, pulling the rabbit out of the hat, in her case, bushes.

Her whole body jumped and danced, celebrating the feast she would be partaking. However, as the music in her head died down, so thus her enthusiasm.

There was no way to kill it with her bare hands, staring into the innocent animal's eyes. It was supposed to be a cycle of life. Eat or be eaten. Kill or die.

But in her case, it was a choice to kill and eat it or let it go and find another way to survive. After a few more seconds, her hands dropped the furry animal down on the dirt floor and let it go.

Her eyes watched it hop away as her stomach demanded satisfaction, immediately questioning her sanity. Which animal would not remain innocent in her eyes?

Even the snake, in her opinion, had done nothing wrong against her. Therefore, no one had the right to take any creature's life.

Maybe eating meat already served on a plate was easier than gutting it out of life. But as a wolf, could she control this urge to hunt and kill her prey.

As her feet moved along, Avana finally stumbled on some bushes with a few purple berries on their branches. It was enticing to the eyes. Would it taste good? Examining a piece, it did look delicious, especially in her hungry eyes.

Her fingers picked one large size, very purple, looking ripe for the picking, then placed it in her palm. Then, her lips took a small bite, and her tongue savored its delicious sweetness, matched with a bit of sourness. It was indeed a sumptuous treat.

Avana munched on a few more pieces, swallowing the remaining juice in her mouth, licking her lips, relishing the lingering taste, even thinking of picking some more, then stashing them in her small pocket for later consumption.

Without warning, her hands clutched to her chest, feeling the sudden change in her heartbeat. It felt like her heart was beating wildly, drastically weakening her body, making her bend to her knees for support.

Seconds later, her muscles had that tingling sensation, slowly numbing her body. Her knees hardly moved as they remained planted on the rocky ground underneath her.

Her hands stretched before her, trying to find a semblance of balance before she could fall to the solid ground. But it was getting difficult every minute to stay in her position.

"Is there anyone out there?" The hair on her skin spiked up, sensing another presence. Her ears did not pick up an unusual noise, except for the ruffling of the leaves. But her nose scrunched up to the different scent.

Her strength might be decreasing fast, but her other senses heightened at the unknown intruder in her midst. However, before she could hear any response, her body finally gave up the fight, causing her to fall.

Avana waited for the impact and the pain, but something else cushioned her from the rough ground. Instead of hard rocks pricking her body, warmth enveloped her.

"Who are you?" Her lips wanted to ask, but they stayed shut. Her eyes also began to fail her as she could barely open them. Then, her body finally succumbed to the numbness that took over her, as her heart barely beats.

"Are you ok?" A deep, masculine voice penetrated her slowly slipping awareness.

Was it a dream or a hallucination? Whatever it was or whoever he was, her body snuggled closer, enjoying the heat radiating into her skin. A smile slipped into her lips, finding comfort in this mysterious man.