The Wild Within

Nova woke slowly, the haze of exhaustion still clinging to her like a heavy blanket. A deep, gnawing ache, rumbling from within demanded her attention. Her body had clearly used what little energy she had left to heal. As her senses sharpened, she realized her breathing was easier, and though pain still lingered, it was less sharp than before.

The musty smell of the shack surrounded her once again. The light streaming in through the cracks, revealed the same dingy surroundings. The fire in the middle of the dirt floor had burned down to embers, leaving a faint warmth in the air. This time, however, she was alone.

Nova's stomach growled, loud and insistent. She pushed herself up slowly, her muscles trembling but obeying. The ravenous hunger pushed everything else from her mind as her golden eyes scanned the room. That's when she spotted them: several rabbits strung up on a rough wooden rack near the wall. Without thinking twice, she lunged forward, grabbing the nearest one with her jaws and tearing into it.

The taste of the meat sent a wave of relief through her body. She devoured the rabbits one after another, the hunger dulling with each bite. When the last morsel was gone, she sat back, licking her bloodied muzzle and panting slightly. The ache in her stomach had finally eased, though it was replaced by a strange awareness.

She began to pace the room, her nose twitching as she smelled everything. The lingering scent of the man who had saved her was unmistakable—earthy, wild, and unexpectedly pleasant. Her instincts stirred uneasily at the thought, a mixture of wariness and curiosity. It was clear he hadn't been gone long.

Her paws carried her to the far corners of the shack, where she nosed through stray items: a small pile of tools, a worn wool blanket, and a crude knife resting on a makeshift table. The items told her little about who he was or why he had helped her. She was still puzzling over this when a faint noise outside froze her in place.

Ears twitching, Nova crept back toward her corner, her movements slow and deliberate. Her body tensed as the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. She quickly lay down, curling herself into a defensive position and closing her eyes, feigning sleep. The door creaked open, the faint scent of fresh air mingling with the familiar musk.

"Nice try," his voice said, laced with amusement. "I know you're awake."

Nova cracked one eye open, meeting his amber gaze as he stepped into the room. He carried a bundle of firewood in his arms, his movements calm and unhurried. He set the wood down near the fire pit and crouched, striking a match to reignite the flames.

She remained still, her body tense as she watched him. The air between them was charged, her instincts warning her not to let her guard down. He didn't look at her immediately, focusing instead on coaxing the fire back to life. When the flames finally roared, he leaned back, meeting her gaze again.

"Feeling better?" he asked casually, his tone making it clear he wasn't expecting an answer. "You've got quite the appetite, by the way."

Nova's ears twitched at the comment, but she held his gaze steadily. Her silence spoke volumes, and he didn't seem bothered by it. Instead, he studied her with that same unreadable expression from before.

"You've got questions," he said finally, his voice quieter now. "And I'll answer them. But first, you're going to need to trust me." His amber eyes held hers, unwavering. "You've got a long road ahead, and it's not one you can walk alone."

Nova didn't move, her body coiled with tension. The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. She wasn't ready to trust him—couldn't trust him—but for now, she was too tired and too uncertain to argue. The fire crackled between them, a fragile truce in the quiet of the shack.