TRUE FREEDOM

Anna could tell from first glance. From that familiar glare she got.

The woman’s red lustrous hair was let down to her shoulders, streaks of white on some areas, signifying that the woman was older than she looked, she had high cheekbones and a prominent jaw, in her brown eyes a condescending gaze that seemed to be permanently etched to her features.

She was beautiful in every sense if word and was practically the older version of May.

“Mrs. Hoult!” Diane smiled warmly at the woman and in a split second, that chilly expression morphed into one of warmth an affection.

All directed at Diane of course.

Anna was shocked by how easily the woman could curl her lips and get her eyes to crinkle in the corner in just a second.

Fascinating…

“Diane, my girl,” Mrs. Hoult said. She stepped out from behind the counter and walked to where Diane stood.

“It is so nice to see you again, how was your trip?”

Diane tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled even brighter, taking a hold of Anna’s hand and pulling her closer.

“I decided not to go as I was tasked with a much more important job,”

“Oh?” Mrs. Hoult muttered as she turned her gaze back to Anna, the glare was back with shocking speed and Anna willed herself not to care.

Unless of course she said something stupid, then Anna would have no choice than to give a witty retort like she’s been giving all day just to let her know that she wasn’t a pushover.

Why was that so important to her?

To make sure no one looked down on her…why was it so important?

“This is Anna, the Wolf Spirit,”

Anna wasn’t sure she could ever get used to the girl’s enthusiastic introduction every time she did it.

Mrs. Hoult wasn’t as enthusiastic as Diane though, which Anna expected and had absolutely no problem with. Maybe a little bit.

“Yes, May has told me all about her,”

Judging from her tone, they weren’t really nice things.

“Yes, this is May’s mom but I’m sure you’ve already guessed it!”

The girl was so excited, Anna didn’t want to let her down or make her feel bad but the truth was that she really didn’t want to be here.

The buzzing on her neck lessened each second and was slowly being replaced by a dull weight that felt like it was pulling down from her head.

The connection was being set.

Anna hated it.

It made her tense, her nerves were all over the place and she wished to just be in her room, huddled up in a corner while letting the reality of her situation sink in.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hoult,” She found herself saying instead. A fake smile plastered on her lips and her hand outstretched in the risky attempt to get a handshake.

Mrs. Hoult looked down at her hand and sneered subtly, so quickly that Anna was sure Diane didn’t even catch the look on her face.

She cleared her throat and turned her head away like she didn’t see Anna’s outstretched hand right in front of her.

“Likewise,” She said.

Anna put down her hand awkwardly and clutched the hem of her dress.

“Um… okay,” Diane took a step back, she might’ve noticed the awkward atmosphere.

“We have a lot to do today Mrs. Hoult but I promise to come get a cake for my brother soon,”

“Of course, I’ll be expecting you,” That warm expression on the woman’s face suddenly seemed eerie to Anna.

Was everyone in the pack two faced in front of Diane? Or was it just May and her mother?

They left the shop not long after, Mrs. Hoult had given Anna and Diane cookies ‘for the road’ but also hesitantly gave a bag to Anna.

It didn’t bother her.

None of it did.

Anna tried to convince herself as they walked the entire town.

It wasn’t big but big enough to have everyone comfortable.

The pack was a wonder to her as she’s only ever read about packs like these in books.

“We’re almost at the farm, sorry about the distance,” Diane said with her mouth full of cookies. Anna shook her head. It wasn’t an issue.

Diane had introduced her to almost everyone that waved, Anna couldn’t keep track of the names but she knew their faces and she knew she wouldn’t forget them. Surprisingly, she was treated quite nice after she left Mrs. Hoult’s shop. There was no glare or ill mannered smile, it was something Anna was not used to.

She thought everyone would hate her just like they did at Bullhorn.

“Just how many buildings are there in the Pack?”

“A lot!” Diane replied, “I don’t really keep track of the numbers but everyday we expand thanks to Kane, he tries his best to make sure everyone is comfortable and well protected”

That’s amazing.

“I wonder how he does it,” Anna said under her breath.

After a few more minutes of walking, Diane finally slowed to a stop.

Anna was out of breath and her legs burned like she’d just done a hectic exercise.

Still, she liked the fact that they walked this far today, it helped her to clear her head and think properly.

For the first time in so long Anna could enjoy the fresh air outdoors knowing fully well that no one would come to attack her or pull her by her hair.

Was this what freedom felt like?

No.

It was the vision.

Anna remembered the cold wind that blew against her fur and the wet sand in-between her paws. Her eyes could see everything, her ears could hear everyone.

That was true freedom.

Anna knew there and then that she has to shift. She had to connect to the Wolf Spirit, her wolf.

She would make her own path after that.

She would decide her own fate.

“We’re here!”

Anna turned to where Diane was pointing at and the sight in front of her took her breath away.