I yelped in surprise when the cage was dropped roughly upon the ground. The door swung open, and a low voice was saying, close to my ear,

“Easy, sweetheart, take it easy.”

Hearing that voice somehow made me all the madder. I leapt out of the small opening, whirling so quickly on two paws I lost my balance. Stumbling back to my feet, I raised my lips in a snarl.

Facing me was about eight males. All taller than six feet, all obviously younger than twenty.

I gaped at them, then acted all calm and began to slink away, planning on leaving and going home. Wherever my home was from here..

I did not get far.

I had just begun to run, actually run, when I was thrown into a tree. I howled in pain as my newly healed ribs cracked again. I managed to ignore the pain and tried to drag myself away. I heard the sounds of snarling behind me—two wolves fighting?

Why.. why were they…

I croaked,

“Stop…”

And they did. Both came forward and began to drag me back to where their pack was waiting…