The Goddess's Chosen

Chapter Two

Xavier

The ground was icy under my paws as I dug into the earth, taking in deep breaths through my nose, searching for any kind of lead. We have to be getting close, right? Surely after three years in this place.

Deer, dirt, squirrels, humans. I gagged as the stench hit my nose and whined, covering my snout with my paws. My father dug beside me, turning his head to scout the distance. His fierce brown eyes scoured every inch of the dense forest. Pine trees rose high into the array of colors of the setting sun. It was getting dark.

We should go hunting. The deer in the area will be settling into their burrows soon. I told my father. He nodded and shook the snow off his black fur, but then froze as the wind blew. The faint scent of what—or rather who we had been searching for drifted through our noses.

My father howled and bolted. Following closely behind him, my heart raced as we darted between the trees, startling the small animals nearby. Is this it? Have we found them?

This was the third state we've been to, and the closest any of us has ever been. Upon entering this godforsaken world, we found ourselves in a place called Wyoming. We spent a year there, following the trail left behind by those who came before us. The humans called this place Colorado. It reminded me so much of home. But I couldn't think about that right now. We're so close!

We followed the scent for miles before the trail went cold again. My father let out a menacing growl that turned to a human scream. Bones cracked as he shifted from his wolf form.

He kicked the snow and punched a nearby tree. The cold air turned his pale skin pink, and he sank to his knees in exhaustion. I approached him slowly and sat. A high-pitched whine left me as I nuzzled his shoulder.

Time in this world was driving us mad. Three long years and nothing to show for it. Only glimpses of what we needed to go home.

Father, shift back... you'll catch your death like this in the snow.

"I can't keep doing this..." his voice broke as he stared off into the distance. "This wretched place is driving me mad." He seemed to echo my thoughts.

I know, father... I miss our home and mother too, but the goddess said we couldn't return until our mission was complete...

He let out a long sigh before standing up, bones cracked and his limbs morphed and shortened. His wolf was back, though his head hung low.

I will return to the camp. I can't stand to be in this forest any longer. Hunt down some game to replenish our stock and watch out for humans.

My father's voice resounded in my head before he turned and headed towards the mountain. Turning the other way, I started walking, stopping to sniff the ground for any trails. A deer would be nice, a buck even better...