Chapter 48: A Friend in the Forest-3

The wolf stopped in its tracks and jerked its head to look at me. Its mouth curled in a snarl revealing sharp canines. I gulped and bent my head back smiling nervously at it, "No, not a pet", I said and its mouth closed and it started walking again. "I mean I just asked because, I don't know, you understand me", I continued, "It's not every day that I meet a wolf the size of an elephant who understands what I say. My sister once told me that most humans don't even understand what the heck I'm saying you know" I laughed awkwardly but when I didn't get any sort of response from the animal I stopped abruptly and cleared my throat. Was it even listening to me? "I know it's asking for a lot, but since you can understand me, I'd really appreciate some sort of response", I said but I still got none making me pout, "Meanie". We walked on and as time went by I felt more and more at ease around the giant animal. I talked about random stuff like how the beautiful the forest was and how fresh the air felt but it didn't so much as look back at me. After a while, I started to feel annoyed so I decided to annoy it in return. "So, are you male or female?" The wolf stopped abruptly in its tracks and I looked up to see it staring at me with a mix of extreme anger and shock. Somehow I didn't feel afraid. On the contrary I bit my lip trying not to smile, "What? It's just a question? If you're male then go 'Grrr' like you usually do. If you're female please turn and continue walking ahead" It did neither, but turned and stalked towards me, power and rage radiating off its large body. My eyes widened and I took a step back. It approached me with narrowed eyes and I returned the gesture, "This action doesn't answer my question. If you choose neither of my options then what am I supposed to make of it? Either you're both or neither" A loud ear-splitting growl filled the air making me shriek and cover my ears. "Calm down!" I said quickly, "I was just kidding" Before I could react it bent its head and tore a big piece of cloth right off the side of my skirt. "AAAAHHHH!" I screeched in shock and gaped at the slit on the side of my skirt that now exposed my thigh. "You-You-YOU PERVERT!" I yelled trying to pull the sides together, but then I realized what happened the last time I had tried to do that and quickly stopped. I looked back up at the wolf only to find haughty eyes looking back at me. The piece of my skirt hung from his mouth. I glared at him, feeling my cheeks burn. "That's classified as assault!" I bellowed but he just snorted again before turning and walking ahead. I screeched in irritation before stomping after him muttering to myself. "Stupid male wolf ripping my skirt. This is the second one in a row! At this rate I won't have any skirts left to wear to work" The proud animal continued walking without a care but his ears were pointing upwards telling me he was listening. I glared at him before looking back at my exposed thigh, "Of course you don't care about having destroyed my skirt! What would animals know about clothes anyway? They happen to be expensive! And I'm a poor person. At this rate my salary will leave my account even before it has been credited into it" That thought made me feel depressed. I had bills I needed to pay, loans I needed to reimburse, funds I needed to save up. I whimpered sadly and immediately the wolf turned his head to look at me. I frowned and looked away. He continued to stare at me and I returned my gaze to it, "What? Keep walking please, I need to get back on time or they might deduct my salary", I said unhappily, "I already took a week off for which I most likely won't get paid" The wolf's eyes softened and he looked at the ground for a few seconds before he started walking again. I followed sulking, but it was only a matter of time before I got bored and started talking again. "Where are we going?" I groaned, "Is it really far?" Again he didn't respond in any way. "Do I have to insult you every time I need a reaction from you?" I asked but I still got no response. I huffed and muttered, "Alpha males" Alpha... The CEO's face flashed before my eyes and my gaze slowly shifted to the magnificent animal walking beside me. I bit my lip before inhaling deeply. "You have many traits that are similar to someone I know", I said softly but when I saw his muscles stiffen my interest peaked again. I would have to be careful not to rile him up like I had done a short while ago, but I was curious to find out why this wolf got so worked up over Alpha Zuerien's name. "He is my boss", I continued, "The CEO to be precise, but you probably don't understand what that means" He continued walking quietly. "You both have that fancy golden streak through your hair" I said and brushed my fingers over the glistening band of fur. I felt the regal animal's muscles flexing under my touch, and he turned his head to look at my hand, torn piece of cloth no longer in his mouth. I immediately withdrew it. "Sorry", I said and he turned his head away again. "And you have the same eyes as him", I continued, remembering the CEO's mesmerizing brown eyes. They were like deep pools of intensity, every time I looked into them, I felt like drowning in their chocolaty depths. "The same eyes as Alpha Zuerien", I whispered and from the corner of my eye I saw the wolf turn his head towards me again as I smiled reminiscently, "beautiful eyes", I whispered and looked at the wolf only to find the same beautiful eyes staring back intensely. Staring at me, staring into me, staring at my soul. And for a split second, the wolf was gone, and the CEO stood in his place, just like from my dream the other day. The same hair, the same eyes, the same intense gaze. I felt chills run down my spine as my eyes went wide as his voice from before filled my ears. Its okay, I'm here... I gasped and blinked and just like that, he was gone, and the wolf was standing before me again, still looking at me with his unwavering gaze. I gulped and looked away. My mind was playing tricks on me again. I looked back at the wolf and smiled, "Sorry, I'm alright. Let's keep going", I said. His eyes lingered on my frame a few seconds longer before he started walking again. For the next few minutes I remained silent thinking about everything that had happened today. I needed to tell someone about this. Even if it sounded crazy and they decided to take me back to the doctor, I couldn't just ignore everything that had happened. Especially about those two creepy ethereal figures I had seen earlier. What had happened back there? The only person I could tell was Mr. Talon...Mr. TALON!!! My eyes bulged out of their sockets and I gasped out loud as I remembered that he had come into the forest with me. I had lost him! "OH NO!!!!" I yelled making the wolf stop immediately and look back at me with wide eyes. I pulled at my hair, "Mr. Talon! I forgot about Mr. Talon!" I shouted, "We have to go back!"