The Wolf and Researcher

Part 1

~Izuku’s POV~

I couldn’t believe it! I was finally done with getting my degrees and I was given the Musutafu National Forest as my division! The most important natural reserve in the entire country. When I was given the assignment after graduation, I immediately rushed home to pack. 

“Izuku, are you sure about this? You will be all alone. You know the stories surrounding that place.” Mom tells me as I pack. I would only be gone a week, two at most, going to collect data from all the data hubs and to count the amount of wildlife in the park. 

“Those are just legends, mom. Legends from centuries ago. I highly doubt there is any truth to them. Werewolves? Immortal wolf warriors, really?” I say chuckling, zipping up my suitcase. 

“But-”

“Mom, I’ll be fine. I’ll only be gone for a month, then I’ll be back home and looking for my own place. I promise when I get back, we’ll go house hunting together, okay?” I told her, hugging her. I knew she was worried about me, I was worried too, but for a different reason. She had grown up with the stories of the werewolves of Musutafu, it was a major reason no one went there and what people blamed the strange occurrences on, but there was never any proof. What had me nervous however was the fact this was my first mission alone. Sure, it was simple enough. I would have a tracker on me so if anything happened, they could find me, but still, I’ve never been alone before. 

Mom nods, dropping it, returning the hug. When we part, I give her a smile, grabbing my bags and walking out of the room. 

~Eight Hours Later~

“Okay, that was a LONG drive. If I keep getting assigned Musutafu then I might just move into the town here. It didn’t look that bad.” I think out loud, thinking about the pleasant small town at the base of the mountains. But something was bugging me about this trip now. When I was in the town getting dinner and looking around, when I told the woman that served my meal where I was going and who I was, she said I should pay a visit to the shrine of the Musutafu Guardian before continuing my trip. At first, I wanted to laugh, but something about the way she talked and something in her eyes told me that I needed to do it. So, I did. 

There was a keeper there to maintain the shrine. Actually, it was more like a small temple. I left the offering the waitress suggested and prayed for a safe trip. When I left, I could have sworn I felt eyes on me, but when I turned around, there was nothing there. 

When I finally made it to the researcher's cabin, it was well after sunset. It was a nice place. Reminded me of a resort cabin picture you see in those fancy magazines. I was completely exhausted by the time I finally got unpacked and showered. As I got into bed, once again I felt those eyes on me, but it was weird, I didn’t feel threatened. 

The first few days went by relatively peacefully, save for a few close calls where I almost fell off a cliff or into the raging rapids. But other than that, it has been rather nice, being here, far from the city. What is even more amazing is the fact that the wolf pack here has been helping me, strangely. And there is my… visitor…

~Day 3~

“Stupid elk! Ugg! I wonder if I can herd them to one point on Lily?” I think looking at the evil elk herd that was on the opposite hill from the cabin. When one of the wildlife researchers showed up the first morning with a horse trailer, excited that I was already here, I was happy to know I wouldn’t have to walk everywhere. The mare, Lily, has been an amazing help! She has a nice, warm brown coat with a white star, and white socks. 

I saddle her up and make sure I have everything I need and my lunch, knowing that I’ll probably be out here past lunch, again. After leading her out of the pen, I hop up and head towards the elk herd. 

/AWOO/ 

I turn my head to the side seeing the wolf pack watching me from the tree line to my left. I pull Lily to a stop halfway down the hill and watch them closely. This was the closest I’ve seen them. Making sure to keep eye contact, I pull out my notebook and camera. 

I took a few photos of the pack. Noting that there were 5 individuals, including one massive golden wolf. He or she was almost, if not, twice the size of the others in the group. I wrote down all my observations in my notebook, also noting that the golden wolf didn’t have an identification/tracking collar which was odd. 

When my eyes meet the wolf’s, something zaps between us, and a strange feeling runs down my spine. I blush when I could have sworn it /smirked/ at me. What the hell is going on? The longer I meet the wolf’s gaze the more I can feel something settling over me, something I’ve never felt before and don’t know how to quantify. 

An elk bugle snaps me back to the present and what I’m here to do. My head snaps towards the fleeing herd. ‘Oh fuck! No!’ I groan, putting my stuff away and spurring Lily into a gallop to follow the herd. 

“No, no, come on! Not again!” I mumble, trying to count as we run after the herd, but it is not working. I pull Lily to a stop and let her rest. “I need to go about this differently.” I think watching the herd slow to a stop down in the valley, on the other side of the hill, separating the lush valley from the hill with the cabin. 

I slowly ride down there, just as I’m cycling around the herd, the group of wolves from earlier show up, keeping the elk from running. 

‘What the? Are they helping me?’ I think before that weird sensation is back and then a voice pops into my head.

‘/Shut up, nerd, and yes we’re trying to help you, now do your thing!/’

My eyes fly wide. ‘What the hell is going on?’