Lunar Bonds

The Bite

As the days turned into weeks, Willow's encounters with the mysterious grey she-wolf continued to unfold like an enchanting tapestry. Each time they met, their connection deepened, transcending the boundaries of human and beast. The wolf would appear as if summoned by a silent call, and Willow welcomed its presence with open arms. It had become her steadfast companion, a guardian of the forest, and a source of untold comfort and fascination.

Willow's infatuation with the wolf had grown into an all-consuming passion. She began to venture deeper into the woods, seeking its elusive form among the dappled shadows and emerald undergrowth. It was as if she had become a part of the forest herself, her footsteps echoing in harmony with the whispers of leaves and the haunting cries of distant creatures. Her heart, too, had embraced the wilderness, its rhythms flowing like a secret melody.

One warm, sun-drenched afternoon, Willow ventured further into the forest than she ever had before. She felt an unexplainable pull, a magnetic force guiding her towards an unknown destination. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the sweet murmur of a nearby stream, and the forest seemed to hum with an underlying energy, as though it held a secret waiting to be uncovered.

There, beneath the intricate canopy of leaves, Willow finally found herself in the presence of the enigmatic wolf. Its sleek form emerged from the shadows, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Willow's heart raced as she gazed into its obsidian eyes, which bore an almost human depth of understanding.

Without warning, the wolf moved closer, its graceful movements a mesmerizing dance of grace and power. Willow watched, breathless, as it circled her, a whirlwind of silver and ebony. 

In a moment of overwhelming trust, Willow extended her hand to the wolf, as she had done so many times before. But this time, something shifted in the air, and a jolt of electricity passed between them. The wolf hesitated for a fraction of a second before its instincts took over. In an instant, it lunged forward and sank its teeth into Willow's forearm.

Pain seared through Willow's body as the wolf's teeth pierced her skin. She gasped, feeling a mixture of shock and fear. Blood welled from the wound, staining the forest floor. The wolf released her with an expression of anguish and confusion in its eyes before retreating into the shadows, leaving Willow trembling and alone.

Willow clutched her bleeding arm, her mind whirling with a mixture of emotions. She felt a strange connection to the wolf's bite, as if a part of its essence had been imprinted upon her. Fear, pain, and confusion coursed through her, and she knew she needed help.

With great effort, she managed to make her way back to her cottage, her arm throbbing with every step. The cottage's familiar scent of herbs and wood greeted her, offering a semblance of comfort. Willow's mother, Eliza, a skilled herbalist, was in the garden tending to her medicinal plants.

Gasping for breath, Willow stumbled into the garden, her face pale and her arm covered in blood. Eliza turned with a start, her eyes widening in alarm as she rushed to her daughter's side. She guided Willow into the cottage, her hands gentle but firm.

"What happened, Willow?" Eliza's voice trembled with concern as she examined the bite on her daughter's arm.

"It was the wolf, Mom," Willow whispered, her voice quaking with fear. "It bit me."

Eliza said nothing, only nodded and inspected the wound in further detail. "It's deep...but it doesn't look infected. You should be more careful." Once she knew her daughter was okay, she was ready to lecture her. Willow closed her eyes regretfully. She knew the outburst was coming.

Her mother talked as she cleaned and dressed the wound. "You should know better than this Willow. Your father and I are always very lenient...letting you go out into the woods alone. Even at dusk. Who knows what could be out there?" Willow opened her mouth to speak, eyes wide with indignation, but Eliza held up a hand. 

"Don't start harking on about how that wolf will protect you. It bit you! Don't you see? They're wild animals, Willow. Not to be trusted, but to be feared. In fact, you're grounded. No more going into the forest. You're turning 18 in December, and you should be focusing on your studies."

Willow let out a cry of anger. "What? Mom! Thats so unfair!" She winced as her mother pinched a little too hard on her bite as she stitched it. Willow lowered her voice. "Please, mom."

"No. And thats final." Eliza softened her voice upon seeing the hurt in Willow's eyes. "I know you love the forest. But just because you feel a special connection doesn't mean that wolf does. Understand?"

Willow simply nodded and hung her head, biting her lip to stop from talking back. Her auburn hair framed her face as she thought of ways to get out of the punishment. Once her wound was bandaged, she went up to her room, lacking her usual grace. Once in her bedroom, she collapsed on the bed and curled up, refusing to come out until dinner.