Island of the Alphas (Steamy Werebear Shifter BBW Menage Romance) by Willow Wilde Page A
Authors: Willow Wilde
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also a number of exotic birds that maneuvered sideways across the branches, squawking loudly. Other, smaller birds flitted between the branches, singing a soothing chorus of chirps that somehow made my footwork just a little easier, pushing a little more strength into each step.
I would also spot other creatures along the bushes or on fallen logs, jutting up from the sea of green that came up to my shins — small, rigid frogs that lapped lazily at the buzzing insects…the occasional, lethargic sloth, dangling from a branch or slowly turning to watch me…deer, munching on berries in the distance and prancing away as I approached. The wildlife was incredibly beautiful, and contrasted well with the equally mesmerizing flora — I would see bushes of exotic, patterned berries, groves of extraordinary flowers with generous leaves and the sweetest aroma, and thick, spiny vines that snaked up the trees sometimes, hugging them tight.
Regardless of my quest for water, I couldn’t resist the allure of the sights. This was far more incredible than any cruise I’d been on, and although I knew I was likely to die before seeing another human soul, I felt that there were far worse places to breathe my last breath.
But as I traversed between the trees, I felt the slightest sense that I was being carefully watched. No matter how many times I whirled around or carefully kept my eyes peeled, I couldn’t shake the sensation. At first, I thought it might have just been the vast array of wildlife, as it seemed like humans did not frequent this little sliver of the world. But it was more menacing than that. The crushing, overwhelming feeling that I was trespassing sent shivers down my spine, and I wanted so badly to shout:
“I didn’t even want to be here! I’m just trying to survive and get back home ”
But I lacked the energy for it, and I knew that I was probably just being paranoid…but it didn’t help. As my mind continued deteriorating at the lack of sustenance in my system, I struggled to maintain a rational grip of my surroundings, and my place in them.
* * * *
I don’t know how many hours I spent, wandering the woods. Furthermore, I have no idea how I had the energy to do it. But just as I couldn’t take another step, as my body slumped against the trunk of another thin pillar of a tree, I heard the faintest sound of running water.
My eyes snapped back open, and I twisted my head in every direction. Is that running water , something whispered in my head. Eagerly, I gazed around. No, I guess I’m just hearing things now…maybe I should just rest here and–
THERE! I could see the faintest light, glimmering against the trees, a minute’s stumbling away. Summoning every last ounce of strength, I staggered towards the glimmer, pushing off of every tree between it and me…
As I reached the source of the light, I dropped to my knees in despair. There was no water — nothing to satiate my burning lungs. The small stream of light penetrating the canopy above was dancing off of a small bank of reflective stones, barely puncturing the soil. My thirst gaze flitted up the trail that pulled through — it was clear that this was, at one point, a small stream. But perhaps the earth had settled further up, sending the water pouring down another path. Maybe the source had even dried up somehow.
Either way, it meant that there was nothing for me here. I didn’t have the energy to pull myself up and wander up the trail of caked sediment, eager to find that shiny source of water.
As the trees above swam in a circle, I felt the full weight of my fruitless journey fall crushingly onto my shoulders. The last thing I remember is the painful group, rushing up to meet my shoulder as I slumped onto my side.
* * * *
For the
I would also spot other creatures along the bushes or on fallen logs, jutting up from the sea of green that came up to my shins — small, rigid frogs that lapped lazily at the buzzing insects…the occasional, lethargic sloth, dangling from a branch or slowly turning to watch me…deer, munching on berries in the distance and prancing away as I approached. The wildlife was incredibly beautiful, and contrasted well with the equally mesmerizing flora — I would see bushes of exotic, patterned berries, groves of extraordinary flowers with generous leaves and the sweetest aroma, and thick, spiny vines that snaked up the trees sometimes, hugging them tight.
Regardless of my quest for water, I couldn’t resist the allure of the sights. This was far more incredible than any cruise I’d been on, and although I knew I was likely to die before seeing another human soul, I felt that there were far worse places to breathe my last breath.
But as I traversed between the trees, I felt the slightest sense that I was being carefully watched. No matter how many times I whirled around or carefully kept my eyes peeled, I couldn’t shake the sensation. At first, I thought it might have just been the vast array of wildlife, as it seemed like humans did not frequent this little sliver of the world. But it was more menacing than that. The crushing, overwhelming feeling that I was trespassing sent shivers down my spine, and I wanted so badly to shout:
“I didn’t even want to be here! I’m just trying to survive and get back home ”
But I lacked the energy for it, and I knew that I was probably just being paranoid…but it didn’t help. As my mind continued deteriorating at the lack of sustenance in my system, I struggled to maintain a rational grip of my surroundings, and my place in them.
* * * *
I don’t know how many hours I spent, wandering the woods. Furthermore, I have no idea how I had the energy to do it. But just as I couldn’t take another step, as my body slumped against the trunk of another thin pillar of a tree, I heard the faintest sound of running water.
My eyes snapped back open, and I twisted my head in every direction. Is that running water , something whispered in my head. Eagerly, I gazed around. No, I guess I’m just hearing things now…maybe I should just rest here and–
THERE! I could see the faintest light, glimmering against the trees, a minute’s stumbling away. Summoning every last ounce of strength, I staggered towards the glimmer, pushing off of every tree between it and me…
As I reached the source of the light, I dropped to my knees in despair. There was no water — nothing to satiate my burning lungs. The small stream of light penetrating the canopy above was dancing off of a small bank of reflective stones, barely puncturing the soil. My thirst gaze flitted up the trail that pulled through — it was clear that this was, at one point, a small stream. But perhaps the earth had settled further up, sending the water pouring down another path. Maybe the source had even dried up somehow.
Either way, it meant that there was nothing for me here. I didn’t have the energy to pull myself up and wander up the trail of caked sediment, eager to find that shiny source of water.
As the trees above swam in a circle, I felt the full weight of my fruitless journey fall crushingly onto my shoulders. The last thing I remember is the painful group, rushing up to meet my shoulder as I slumped onto my side.
* * * *
For the
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