The Girl Who Walks With The Wolves

Chapter 3

Shadow brushes against my side. "Why did they react like that when you vouched for me?" His dark eyes watched the Council carefully. "The last time I vouched for someone....he betrayed the Pack." He said carefully. I placed a hand on his back. "I promise I'll never do that." He looked at me and sighed. "You are just a Pup. Sometimes promises are harder to keep then you would like." I began to chew my lip as his words turned in my head. "They are scared of me?" I said. He shook his head. "No Pup not you. They are afraid of which side you will stand on." He told me. Lunar walked over and looked pleased. "The Council has decided to let you help us." Suddenly I was uncertain. "Lunar...what about my family?" He met my worried gaze. "Pup you must make a choice. You can come with us and protect not only your family but everyone in this town. Or you can leave and be your family. We will respect any decision you make." Shadow pressed into me. "Think carefully Pup." he whispered. I didn't know what to do. "I-I need some air." I stuttered. I ran out of the cavern and burst into the night. The rain had stopped and a cool breeze filled the night. I closed my eyes and let the wind blow over my face. I took a deep breath in attempt to calm myself. It didn't work very well. I heard the clicking of claws on stone. Lunar sat down next me. "Can I tell you a story Pup?" He asked. My eyes flicked to him briefly. "Sure." I sat down next to him and pulled my knees to my chest. "A long time a go a man name Vernon came to us. He had the same gift you do Pup." Lunar took a long breath as if the story was painful. "He worked with us for many years saving wolves who were hurt or in danger. He said that he had a peaceful and safe place for them." Lunar let his eyes slid close. "He had been taking them to a shed in woods he owned and killed all of them. He slowly be came more and more blood thirsty. One day he kidnapped a wolf from our pack." I had a hand over my mouth and my stomach churned. "That's awful." I whispered. "Yes. The wolf escaped and reviled Vernon's secret. Vernon had killed over one hundred wolves. As it turns out he had also been killing humans. He was called the Shed Skinner by your kind." I sucked in a breath. I remembered seeing him on the news. A shiver went down her spine. "I saw him on the news. He was put in prison then killed himself." The wolf let out a humorless rumble of a laugh. "No Pup. He is alive and he is trying to kill us." I looked up at him with sudden respect and compassion. "I will not lie to you Pup. If you stay it will be dangerous and you may die. But, you will find a family where you never would of looked." I smiled. "I'll find a pack?" Joy sparked in those brown eyes. "You'll protect you mother and sister." I smiled wide. "Ok, I'll do it." Lunar stood and tugged lightly on my shirt with his teeth. I laughed and got up with a grin. "Race you?" A childish light shone in the elder's eyes. "Perhaps just this once." I took off in a sprint laughing all the way. He loped after me. Soon he was at my side panting softly. We slid to a halt at the entrance of the main cavern that I had nicknamed 'The Wolf Den'. "It's a tie!" I said out of breath. "We will need a rematch soon." He teased. "I'm there." Lunar composed himself and walked into the Wolf Den. The wolves parting on either side of us as we made our way to the Elder Council. "She has chosen to assist us." Lunar announced. Sounds of joy came from the pack around me. I couldn't help but smile.