Graced Feather

As Skin And Bone

I don't run. I walk.

I walk through the woods, under the golden canopy of fire the autumn leaves creates, using the sun as a burning heart. I walk through the thin streams, still cold with mountain water. I walk through the meadows wrought with colorful flowers, their scents prickling my nose.

I walk, not feeling anything for a long time. Then, I come to a certain clearing, and stop. A lake spreads out in the clearing, with only the remains of a dock laying at one end. The lake seems to sing, a lament of freedom and hope rising in my ears.

Cautiously, I edge towards the edge of the crystal-blue lake, noticing things about it. How it doesn't ripple, not even as a strong breeze blows across it. How it doesn't reflect the clouds and sun overhead. How it's melody seems to grow stronger the closer I walk towards the edge of the lapping water.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." I turn at the sound of the voice, my eyes tracking along the trees. A pair of emerald eyes stares out from them, though they're too high for a human's head; they float almost as high as a Clydesdale's.

"That lake is magic. It only appears when needed. It is the symbol of power for the Lost Pack. It can also erase memories. Unless you wish to forget everything you know, then I would suggest stepping away from the water," the female voice says.

I look back at the water, then at the glowing eyes. "Maybe I want to forget. Would you stop me?" I say. I hear a chuckle, and turn to see a pair of glowing blue eyes staring at me from the treeline behind me. "A strong-headed one, apparently," a deep male voice says, and I see golden fire spark in the blue eyes.

"You were like that once. Do not forget that," another male voice says, this one a lighter and happier tune. I turn once more, and see two glowing brown-gold eyes floating next to the green's. "Yes, but so were you, Beta. Let's also not forget that," a calm voice says, and I turn back towards the blue eyes, and see a set of glowing silver ones right next to it.

"Stop it, all of you. You're scaring the poor girl," the female voice says, and I turn back to face her. Laughter echoes around me, though I tune it out, focusing on the female voice. Her eyes-I know those eyes.

I take a step forward, and sense the blue's eyes track me even more ferociously. Hm, I think. A potential bed-sharer of the female's? I heard the silver one say 'Beta'. 'Beta' is a wolf term. Meaning second-in-command. But these can't possibly be wolves. No wolves are the size of horses.

But, the other half of my brain argues, Wolves also can't speak English. Yet they are. And you can understand them. That's much stranger than horse-size wild dogs.

I blink, and focus my attention back on the female's eyes. "What's your name? I know you, and can easily find out who you are. It's better that you tell me now," I say, crossing my arms. The female laughs, and steps forward. I barely have time to blink before a massive white paw is on my chest, and two glowing eyes are hovering above me.

"I, dear child, do not appreciate threats. I have lived far too long to be cowed by a teenager who thinks they have such a smart mind. I am withholding my power and pack from killing you, simply because I am curious about why you wandered into our territory. Now, explain yourself, human, before I have to get my paws wet with your blood," the white wolf growls.

I glance to either side, and see a brown wolf pad up to stand beside the female, and a black and gray wolf pad up on her other side. The three others are bigger than the female currently standing on my chest, but she radiates more power than they do. Her eyes are sharper, gaze more clear, words more enunciated. This is the Alpha.