My Old Wolf Stories

Tough Situations

Look, I'm not one to like guys. Everyone in the pack thinks I do. Scratch that; everyone I ever meet thinks I do. But I don't. I've never liked males. I like females. Other females.

It wasn't apparent to me until I started developing feelings for Shade. She's so... so skilled. So smart. So talented. Of course she is, she's the Beta of the pack. But how can I impress someone like her? Such feats are impossible.

And it's here, sitting at the mouth of the den, I realise that. Shade stood majestically on the lookout, the spring zephyr relentlessly blowing at her fur. I didn't have to ask to know what she was looking at. Void, the delta, had taken 2 other packmates hunting earlier this morning. I would have volunteered, but Shade would be unable to defend the den if a bear or some other predator dared attack. Sure, Whisper was there, but he's weird. He's like a ghost, one second you know where he is, the next, he vanishes. I swear he's mute, for he hasn't spoken a word for as long as I can remember. I guess some wolves were just like that.

Eventually, the patrol returned. They herded it well, and I watched on as it fell at the den. Something was amiss, however. Void was not there. I stood, nodded to the hunters, and made my way to the lookout, despite the bewildered faces of the hunters. It was likely they had expected me to eat. I looked out at the lands beyond, searching for the familiar speck of brown. My eyes drifted to the elk at first, who feasted on the fields of grass, heads bopping up and down. But the herd of beasts was not what I was looking for. I allowed my eyes to float away. Where had the brute gone? I began to panic. Alpha had disappeared not to long ago... was it possible Void has vanished for the same reason?

"What's wrong?" The feminine voice almost made me jump. It was Shade, in all her glory. I panicked, but managed to choke out a reply.

"Void seems to be missing. Shall I risk howling?" I tore my gaze from the clearing, looking at the beautiful dame rather anxiously.

"Please do." I swallowed. This was big. Shade watched my every move. I had to make this count. Lowering my head, I summoned my voice, raising my head and howling. The vocalisation was as deep and low as always. My ears strained for a reply. The returned howl was sorrowful, as if Void was troubled.

"Shall I fetch him?" I asked.

"Yes. Take Whisper with you, If you will." Hearing his name, the odd wolf walked over, jet back pelage littered with snow.

"Very well, we'll depart immediately." And so we did. Whisper followed my lead, quietly. I was well aware of Shade's gaze burning into my back.

We did out best to locate the source of the howl, heading to the area we assumed it came from. A speck formed on the horizon, growing in size. I glanced over to where I thought Whisper was, but he had seemingly teleported to my left side. Typical. We carried on, walking at a steady pace. The speck seemed to grow legs, and as we approached, it was easily identified as Void. He had his head lowered, unable to look me in the eye as he spoke.

"Greetings, Whisper, Talon." He greeted us both in turn as we came to a holt.

"Hello, Void. What are you doing all the way out here?" I replied.

"I split of from the others once we got the elk to low enough health. I felt like taking some time away from the pack." He lowered his head, leaving me surprised. I was only a mere hunter! I deserved no such level of respect from a delta.

"Are... you ok?" I asked, listening to the sounds of Whisper's paws as he walked back, clearly sensing that we were in no danger.

[C]"I... Uh..." He stumbled, before falling silent for a long time. "There's something I need to tell you."

My ears folded. Was he planning on leaving?

"Go ahead."
"I didn't notice it at first, but... uh... I think I like you. I know I like you. As in, like like you." He dared to look up at my shocked face. I could only look back at him, my heart dropping so low it felt like it was in my paws. Surely this wouldn't happen to me? I rarely attracted any attention, let alone other wolves.

"Void.... I..." I couldn't muster enough strength to tell him I liked females. To do so would be cruel and heartless. But what could I say? Perhaps it was the only way I could get him to loose interest in me. What wolf could love a female with an interest in her own gender? To do so was shameful, well, at least I think so, anyway. Nobody ever told me.

"Talon, it's fine. I know you don't like me. I can't force you to love anyone you don't want to." Every word broke my heart. I had to tell him that it wasn't his fault.

"No, it's not you," I placed a paw on his own, "it's me. I... I'm not interest in males. I think I like females. I know it's weird. I wish I could be with you. I really do. You're such a lovely wolf." It was true.

"...how do you know?" His green eyes finally looked at my own. I was extremely confused by what he had said.

"Know what?"

"Know that you're only interested in females?" I  didn't really know. How could I explain such an anomaly when I didn't understand it myself..?

"I don't know. I just started developing feelings for... for a female." I had to be careful of what I said.

"You might like males, too." I began to feel uncomfortable. I had to find a way out.

"I umm... I..."

"Can you give it a go?" There was nothing I could do. Saying no would just be too cruel.

"Uh, sure."

"Thank you! I love you, Talon!" Void began to jump up and down, before nuzzling my chest. I smiled slightly. I was glad he was happy.

But despite all this, I couldn't help bu feel uncomfortable. I wanted Shade.

"How do I find my way out of this?" Void stopped, and it was at that moment, I realised I'd said that aloud.