Among The Wolves

Bitterness

This is an atrocity. I think I made his snout too long. And his forehead is too flat, his nose too big and his ears look like LaMancha ears. Canned crows feet, no wolfblood looks like a lizard. Unless there is a hybrid I am unaware of.

Defeated, I sighed. I would never be an artist. Oh well, at least I got the eyes right.

I looked at the horrible drawing that I attempted to do of Obsidian. Apart from the eyes, it looked like some strange alien from Jupiter had come and took over my canvas.

Instead of looking at the portrait, I looked at him from my mind's eye and wondered, Who is this wolf anyway? I know he's a friend. He saved me from Por'Lyn when she attacked. But I haven't seen him these last couple of weeks. I mean, that makes sense, since he was in the MoonDust Pack. I doubt he could just lolly-dally over whenever he wants…

I paused and nibbled my lip, Does he think of me or does he think I'm dead?

There were so many thoughts that I had. I set my pencil down and leaned back in my chair, scratching the side of my head. So…do I have a crush on him?

As soon as that thought came, I widened my eyes in embarrassment. “No!” I clamped my mouth shut, holding both hands over my face. No, he's just a friend. He is just a friend. Heck, I don't even know his name.

With my hands still on my face I took a deep breath, ashamed I let that thought come. Wolfbloods were evil creatures, and I couldn't get distracted from that. I still had to figure out a way to escape. Yet, being stuck in this glorified dungeon with nearly no windows and only one exit constantly guarded by two Etas, I had no way of figuring out a good escape route.

Then, I heard a sound, the clicking of an unlocking door. I stood up quickly and grabbed my sketch. A second passed when I heard the door open down the hall. “Yoohoo! Vae'Lee!”

Looking frantically around the room, I jumped to the bed and stuffed the picture underneath the mattress. “In the bedroom, I am coming!”

I patted down my comforter, making sure it looked undisturbed before taking a breath and walking normally out. I was glad that I chose to wear the blue dress again today. Of all the three outfits that Ty'Mee gave to me, this was my favorite.

Ty'Mee was walking down the hallway. There were two people behind her, but I paid them no mind as us two ladies ran to each other for a hug. “It's been ages since I've seen you!” Ty’Mee squealed.

It's been seven days, silly goose. I thought warmly and humorously. Still, I said nothing. Ty'Mee kept her promise, and that was all I cared about. I pulled away, “How are you doing?”

“Oh, phenomenal! We have exciting news for you.” Ty'Mee turned to the two people behind her.

I leaned over to see behind her. Seeing one of the wolf-men made my jaw drop. One of the wolfbloods was simply an Eta but the other...

“Zeta Hem'Lar.” My breathy disbelief made itself obvious.

The wolfblood looked completely unchanged since I last saw him. Same gentle face, same graying hair, same outfit, same everything.

When he smiled at me I felt a prick in my soul. I knew I still held some bitterness toward him for never coming back. Hem'Lar came up to me with his arms open. Instantly, I wanted to shove him away but unable to do so I just remained stiff with his hug.

He held onto my shoulders and looked me up and down. Not in a creepy way although I wanted to believe that it was.  “You look so much better than when I saw you last. You looked like the grim reaper’s cousin when we found you in the woods. And now look! Your skin is glowing, and you are radiant!”