Hogwarts Rebels

the wolves

Ezra didn't know how long he'd been running.
All he knew was he was lost.
It was nearing sunset and the forest was dark.
He bent over, putting his hands on his knees and breathed deeply.
Trying to regain his breath.
Going over to a tree, he leant against it and slid down.
He brought his knees to his chest and sighed.
He didn't know where to go or what to do.
He was lost.
He buried his face in his knees and gave a shaky sigh.
A few minutes passed when he suddenly felt warm breath and a whiskery sensation.

"Chopper?" He asked looking up.

Ezra almost had a heart attack. A brown wolf was standing right in front of him. Eyes bright and curious.
Ezra didn't move.
His only thoughts were:

'I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die.'

The wolf whined softly and sniffed the boy with interest. Ezra froze.
At least twelve wolves were approaching from the shadows.
All big and all looking deadly.
The brown one growled to a black wolf who came forward.
The alpha.
Ezra looked carefully at the wolf. Why weren't they attacking?
Then something clicked.

"Blade?" Ezra asked.

The alpha looks surprised and sniffed Ezra.
Ezra remembered how Kanan and Hera told him and Sabine about their wolf pack.
Their names, personalities, everything.

'They don't attack unless they have to. They prefer peace then battle'  Hera had said.

He glanced round at the wild dogs who looked at him with interest.
Slowly, he stood.
The alpha came closer to him and put his head to the side.

"I'm Ezra" Ezra said. Wondering if they could understand him.

"I'm lost."

The wolf gently took hold of his sleeve and tugged.
Ezra felt confused then realised that he wanted him to follow.
Ezra walked after the alpha into the forest again.
The pack walked beside Ezra as if protecting him.
They walked for many minutes before coming to the edge of the woods.
Ezra saw the Jarrus's house and felt fear.
Blade nudged him gently forward and Ezra continued to walk beside the wolves.

Kanan and Hera came running from the house. Followed by Zeb and Sabine.

"Ezra" Hera embraced the boy.

"We've been searching for you for ages."

Kanan smiled at the wolves.

"Thank you Blade. You found him I suppose?" He asked.

The alpha smiled and rubbed his head on Kanan's knee.

"Thanks you guys" Hera said gratefully.

"Hang on. This is the litter of wolves you raised?" Sabine asked.

"Yep" Kanan answered.

"Wow."

"Come on Ezra. You've had a big day. Let's get you inside" Hera told him.

The wolves growled a goodbye before padding back into the forest.

"You're...You're not mad?" Ezra asked.

"About what?" Kanan inquired.

"It's just. I broke something in the house. At the orphanage, Miss Atama would beat me if I broke anything" Ezra explained quietly.

Kanan and Hera looked at one another in shock.

"I thought you'd do the same" Ezra finished.

"Ezra" Kanan put a hand on his shoulder.

"We're nothing like that woman. We'd never hurt you. I promise."

"Really?"

"Really" Kanan replied.

"However. Running into the woods at dusk wasn't the smartest idea" Hera told him.

"I know. I was just scared" Ezra said.

"Sometimes fear can make us do crazy things" Kanan said gently.

"How did the wolves find you?" Sabine asked as they headed back inside.

"I honestly don't know. I was sitting against a tree when I felt something weird and thought it was Chopper. I looked up and saw a brown wolf. The other wolves of the pack came out and Blade made me follow him. Then they showed me the way home. I guess that they reconised Hera and Kanan's scents and knew I was a friend."

"A brown wolf?" Hera asked.

"Yeah. Do you know its name?" Ezra inquired.

"Of course. That wolf is called Mira" Zeb replied.

The Jarrus family went back into the house. 
Ezra knowing now, he wasn't at the orphanage any more.

He was home.

Suggestions are appreciated and welcome.

Star-Wars-Dragons out 🐲