The Girl Who Walks With The Wolves

Chapter 2

My hands trembled as I packed a backpack. I had written a letter to my mom explaining everything. Not that she will believe me. I silently walked to the door. I couldn't make myself open it and walk away. I squeezed my eyes shut and tears forced their way out. Dad I will be like you. I walked into the night followed the small river I played in as a kid. The rain fell hard and fast plastering my cloths and hair to my body. I came to the old fallen tree and beyond the edge of the woods. I took in a breath and crossed the slippery trunk. As soon as my feet touched the ground a wolf seemingly wrapped in shadows lunged at me teeth bared. My scream echoed through woods as the wolf pinned my down. The animal's breath came out in white puffs. His dark eyes burned into mine. I was not dying tonight. I pulled my knees to my chest and slammed my feet into the wolf's chest flinging him off me. I felt bad for harming the noble animal but not guilty enough to let him kill me. He was on his paws again snarling. Almost without my permission a violent growl ripped through my throat. The wolf not expecting that tilted his great dark head. I was panting my hands and face smeared with mud. The wolf's dark orbs studied me I wondered if he was plotting my death. The only sound was my heavy breaths and the rain slapping the mud. The cold air seeped into my bones. My white breath ringed my face and made goose bumps appear on my cheeks. Then the wolf, fur smeared with mud and dripping with water, bowed down in front me. I didn't know how to react. I slowly stood and studied the dark furred wolf. "Are you Willow?" Asked the wolf in a quiet voice. "Yes." "Follow me." He stood and we walked through the woods. I looked down at my once white shoes. I looked at the wolf. "What's your name?" I asked. He stopped. "I am called Shadow." He says simply. I nodded and we continued in silence until the trees opened up reviling a clearing.  A pack stood debating fiercely. And with his back turned to me was a rain soaked gray pelt. "Lunar." The wolf turned. He met my eyes and just as Shadow did he bowed to me. The rest of his pack followed in suit. My breath had been stolen from me by some invisible force. Why these majestic animals bowed down to me I didn't know. "Willow. You are someone with a very rare gift." Lunar told me. Out of shock maybe I responded with the first thing that popped into my head. "Yeah I got that." My voice was breathy and faint. Lunar let out that low rumbling laugh. "Come child let us discuss this inside you must be cold and weary." He led me to the mouth of a cave. I walked into the cave and felt instantly warmer. As we walked through the cave I examined every inch. The stone floors made smooth by hundreds of paw steps. The gray stone made the walls around me until they widened into a large cavern. I looked up to see black stone dotted with white. My hand lifted to my mouth in awe. "It-it looks like stars." I whispered. Lunar looked over his shoulder. "Yes, child it does." Shadow walked by my side his dark eyes wouldn't meet mine. "I am sorry little one I did not mean to attack you in the woods." I smiled. "Don't worry about it. You were just protecting your pack." He dipped is head and I let my hand drag across his back feeling his fur. Four wolves sat in front of us all were covered thickly in scars. One stood his eyes milky white clearly blind. I stiffened as he limped forward on three legs. He hobbled around me his nose probing my wet and muddy cloths. Everyone was silent waiting it seemed for this wolf's verdict. I was nervous. My gut churned as he nudged my backpack. "How do know if we can trust this one?" asked the wolf in an old gravely voice. Lunar stepped forward. "I vouch for her." He said. The four wolves shifted and murmured. Then Shadow stepped in front of me. "I vouch for her as well." His voice was low and soft. The pack howled in shock. Some wolves even reared on their back legs. I was suddenly was afraid. What was going on?! A loud howl pierced through the air I clapped my hands over my ears. "ENOUGH!" Silence fell. Lunar's fur glowed a soft blue. Was that strange sound him? There was something more here I was not being told. The howl still rang in my ears just the echo of it made goosebumps appear on my arms. I pushed a hands through my hair. What had I gotten myself into?