Two Wolves, One Stone

Invitation

With the invitation to Silas' family cabin the next day, Silas and Oni left and I found myself curled up in bed holding the stupidly ironic wolf plush my father had given me when I was 15.
I had told him I was too old for stuffed animals when he had handed me the white and grey furred plushie.
But he insisted I might need it one day.

"It's made of out of real wolf hair!"

"Thats gross." i had said holding it by the tail away from me. "and helps me in no situation that i can imagine."

"Well, see, its not about it being physically helpful-"

"I mean, i could definitely throw it at a bad guy for a few more seconds to run."

"I mean, yes, but thats not why I have given you this beautifully crafted wolf."

"Then why did you give me it?"

"The wolf is a symbol of spirit and strength," He had said dropping his smile. "It's important you never forget that when it comes to growing up. Because you are, and I see that, and I know from personal experience-" he smiled momentarily. "its going to get hard sometimes. Thats why this wolf is important, to remind you of your own strength and your ability to live freely and live with a light spirit."

"And Rachel, one day, mom and I might not be able to be around, so I want you to also keep this wolf close when youre feeling alone, and remember you have a pack. whether its me and mom, or you and wolf. I just want you to know youre never truly alone."

"are you dying?"

"No Rachel. Im not dying but thanks for ruining my message." My dad had frowned mockingly.

"I was listening but im just ready to "wolf" down mom's supper." I giggled.

My dad frowned deeper. "'Howl' I know if I ever got my message through to you."

"Thats not fair!"

"'Can-ine' give you a tip?"

"Dad. Stop."

"Just take a minute to 'paws' before you engage in a pun war with your father."

"oh my g-"

"Youre just mad youre nowhere the same level of 'howl-arious' i am."

"Dad."

"Whats a wolfs favourite 'howl-iday'?"

"No."

"'Howl-een-"

"Mom! Dads harassing me again!"

Dad had thought it was really funny and kept making wolf puns all throughout supper. My new wolf had been sitting on my lap the whole meal.

I pulled the old wolf closer to my chest and breathed in deeply, inhaling its scent.
It smelled more like my dad after all of these years, its scent never really seemed to fade which I was even more grateful for, now that he was gone.
I closed my eyes tightly trying my best not to cry as I was already entirely exhausted from the unbelievable day I had had.
A part of me hoped that as I fell into a sleep, I'd wake up and everything would be back to how it was.

But thats obviously not how that works- so I woke up, at least 70% sure I was still a supernatural being and still had to attend a gathering of other supernatural beings by the end of the day.
I was dreading my existence more vividly today.

I sat up hesitantly, unsure if my legs would even be there.
I pulled back my sheets and I had never been more grateful to see my furless mundane shaped legs. I touched them hoping to have the same normal sensations I always had. Once again, the day was in my favour as I felt my fingertips run across my skin in its human-like glory.