I don't even know where I am going. I don't really know the area, on top of that I am not really one to wander in the woods. All I know is that I need a clear head. I was pretty sure I could find my way back though, that I was sure of. That is until I hear the cracking of branches and it isn't me. I panic a little and start running from the sounds. They come closer. It seems their speed is faster than mine. I keep running, up ahead I see a fallen tree, I figure I can jump over it and possibly hide behind it.
Well, that is what I figured, but I was wrong. I lunged over the log and tried to duck down but the ground was higher on this side of the log. I am laying down on the ground and I am not even sure I am hidden. To top it off I am defenseless. I close my eyes and try to make myself as small as possible.
I can hear the steps approaching me. They slow, then I hear sniffing sounds. Is it a wild animal? Or is it just my Uncle. Maybe it's just him following me. I hope it is my Uncle. I really don't want to be attacked by a wild animal. That would be just the worst end ever. Young wolf cut down in her prime before she could even shift.
Before I can think of what to do next I can feel a snout sniffing my face. I cringe, because I know that my Uncle wouldn't be doing that. "Please be a wild animal. Please be a wild animal. Please be a wild animal." I whisper to myself. Still with my eyes closed.
Then I feel a lick on my cheek. I gasp in shock. Is this a dog? I peek my eyes open and see the snout of a wolf, but not my Uncle or my dad. They are both brown wolves. This wolf is gray. But one thing I am sure of, this is not a regular wolf. I sit up a little, is this a house pet? No, he looks too big to be a house pet. I decided to ask directly. "Who are you?"
The wolf just sits there with his tongue hanging out. He even cocks his head to the side a little, like he is confused. "Are you going to hurt me?"
He shakes his head. "What do you want?"
He cocks his head to the other side. "I guess that was a stupid question. It's not like you can answer me."
I start to reach out and pet the head of the wolf when a brown blur jumps in front of me. He snaps at the gray wolf. "He's not going to hurt me." I scream.
The brown wolf turns back to me and starts to push me with his head. "Ok, I'm going, just leave him alone." He snarls a little at me. "I mean it. He was nice. Leave him alone." I look over at the gray wolf again and he has his head cocked to the side again. Like he is confused about what he sees. "Sorry," I called out to him. He tilts his head to the other side. Like he's telling me he is confused.
I am pretty sure this is my dad, so I keep going. I am sure at this point that he isn't going to listen to me. If there is one thing I know about my dad, it's that he is a stubborn man. He doesn't stop pushing me until we are back to the field behind the house. "Dad, seriously, you can stop now." He growls a little.
I can see my uncle running up to us. "I told you not to go too far. He could have killed you."
"I don't know what you two are freaking out about. He was nice. He didn't make any move to hurt me." I actually remember that lick on my cheek, he could have killed me then, but he didn't. I think I blush a little. Isn't a lick like a kiss to dogs?
My uncle grabs my arm. "He is one of those wolves I told you to watch out for. He is one of the ones that don't like our family. He would have killed you, if he knew what pack you belonged to. You're just lucky that it seemed like he didn't."
"He was nice Uncle Jared. I think you are making a way bigger deal out of this than necessary." I fold my arms over my chest. I think they are being stupid. He could have killed me, but he didn't. He was soft with me.
"No, maybe I am not making a big enough deal out of this. Just stay out of the woods for now. He will forget about you and you can live to actually shift someday."
I grumble but listen. At least for now. I know he isn't going to hurt me. I will go into the woods if I want. And I want to know who that wolf is. I don't care what it takes. I am going to find out who that wolf is.