Ice Wolf

Secrets unfolded (8)

"Good morning, Miss Kate." Gavin says and offers a basket of food.

"Thank you," I reply and take it. Over the past several days, Gavin has been bringing me food and even bringing Ross for me to see. Today was such a day.

"I see you brought Rosselle along, today." Ross is perched on Gavin's wrist with jesses and a leash attached to her legs.

"I did. I thought you might like to see her some." Gavin replies and sets her down on a log, tying her loosely to a branch. Ross's behavior has improved much since I came.

"Please, come eat," I offer for him to come sit by the fire with me and eat.
He sits and we dig into the breakfast.

"So, Kate, I was wondering... If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"

I stop eating and think. I search my mind for a lie to come up with. To tell Gavin where Kate is from, not Aspen. But... I already feel awful enough as it is. I am tired of lying. Gavin and I have become very close. I want to tell him the truth. It would be so easy to just pour everything out. And yet...

I sigh. "Gavin, I have something to tell you," I pause for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "My name is not Katelyn, It's Aspen. And I am from Sheerville, just east of here. My family raises sheep, and Ara started killing them... That's why I had to leave. I'm sure they're looking for me, so that's also why I had to tell you that my name was Kate. I just... I hope you can forgive me for lying to you." I smile sadly yet hopefully at him.

He looks deep in thought and says nothing for a moment. Finally, he speaks. "Of course I can forgive you, but... I insist that you return to your family. I can take Senara wherever you would like for you, if you'll just return home."

I gape at him, and then collect my thoughts. "Gavin... That is so very kind of you, and I greatly appreciate it, but I'm afraid I just can't do that. I need to see that Ara is safe. She... Saved my life. and now it's time I do the same for her. So, if you would like to, I would appreciate it of you could go prepare a travel pack for me. I must be on my way," I manage to spit out. It hurts me to say these things, but it is also true. Senara saved my life, and now her's is in danger.

Gavin abruptly nods and stands, picking up Ross and heading back towards his steading.

I fight back tears as he leaves, wishing that I hadn't said all that. I wonder if he is angry or sad.

I go to prepare Triumph when I hear a branch snap and turn to see Gavin standing there. "Oh, Gavin wha-"

Not Gavin.

Senara leaps to my side and growls at the man, who bears a slight resemblance to Gavin.

The man looks to be at least fifty winters old, with streaks of gray running through his dark brown mop of hair. But his hair and age aren't what I notice most. I notice the massive crossbow aimed right at Senara.

Before I can say anything, the man fires. The arrow streaks through the air with incredible speed, but Ara is faster. She darts out of the way just in time, the arrow only skimming her back leg as she lunges. Straight for the man.

I yell for her to stop, but she seems to have transformed into a wild crazed animal. She jumps onto the man, both of them tumbling to the ground in a pile of flesh and fur. The man thrashes wildly, but Senara clamps her jaw down onto his arm. He screams and pounds on Ara, but she will not let go.

Breaking out of my daze, I run over and yell for Ara to stop. When she heeds me none, I reach out and clutch her fur tightly, trying to pry her off of the man.
"Ara, stop!"