Red and Mr. Wolf

chapter 01

Ginger Frey otherwise known as Red by the townspeople was a shy boy. He delivered baked goods through the quiet little town, his trademark red cape and ginger locks drawing the attention of anyone who saw him.

Despite being a commoner his seafoam eyes and soft freckled skin made him look more like a noble. Many of the girls of the town sought him out and his parents were all too thrilled to sell him off to some noblewoman. The only reason he wasn't sent off to some stuff manor was that there was always a higher bidder.

He did not want to be married off to some women he didn't know. His family already complained that he had waited till he reached twenty but the drought and sickness in the capital postponed any Nobles from traveling to see him. But he was running out of time.

Instead of waiting to be some wealthy woman's prize Red snuck out from his childhood home, early in the morning. The sun was just rising as he was halfway into town, his only company was the shop owners opening their stalls before the town flurried to life.

He waved as if it were any other day, his hooded cloak the only form of warmth for the long journey. He did not have a travel bag so he packed the bit of gold he saved up and food in his picnic basket. The only solace he had was his only other living family, the boy's grandmother.

Reaching the end of town he looks up to. The long winding path through the dark Forrest. He gripped his basket tighter. This forest was filled with monsters and this was his first time out of town. He took the first step into the woods and continued on his journey.

His grandmother was no noblewoman but she did earn a good bit of fortune from her youth at horse races. Instead of squandering it on titles or pointless items she bought herself a cozy farm and bakery in the next town over. The delicious pastries ,giving her a steady income on top of her small fortune.

Red wrote to her daily and she seemed to be the only one to understand him. She was a beauty like he was and even married, however her sharp tongue and headstrong nature is what helped pave her life and once her husband passed away she mourned like a proper wife and settled down to love comfortably.

Red recalled nights he would help her make gingerbread. She would often offer him a glass of warm tea or honey milk to battle the cold while she warmed her blood with a flask of gin. Most old women were frail but she was still a strong little pistol. He smiled thinking of cooking with her again.

Red stopped near a clearing, veering from the safe path and laying out his cloak to sit on as he sat a piece of his sandwich. A strange rustling caught his attention and as he turned around, the concealed dagger he had for protection swung at the air behind him.

"Wow you are a fast one" a deep voice mumbled in his ear. He shivered as he turned to see a large snout with large teeth and black fur. His blood ran cold as large claws wrapped around his hand letting him drop the knife. "no need for violence I am simply resting my aching legs"

He turned fully around to see a humanoid looking wolf. He was much taller than the ginger and seemed to only be wearing tattered trousers. Ginger felt his cheeks burn as he noted the scars over his chest before meeting silver eyes.

He had heard stories of wolf creatures, how they are children and deviated families. Most of the town called them evil creatures. Many huntsmen would bring in bodies like these to be identified and burned. Ginger felt the words catch in his throat as the wolf plopped down next to his makeshift picnic, his fluffy tail wrapping around him to rest his lap.

"Do you have a name?" The wolf casually asked, using a claw to peel an old apple. Ginger sighed, taking his seat again and nothing the scent of the wolf. Unlike the stories he was told the wolf didn't smell like blood, instead he had the scent of morning dew and lilly. It was pleasant and he found himself relaxing