Girl Meets Wolf

Chapter 33

Ashlyn,

The sun beamed on me as we walked through the woods. All I wanted to do was take a shower, and be in the AC.

Izzie and Becca walked on either side of me chatting about school and about how classmates were doing. I personally didn't want to even think about any of that at the moment. I didn't want my walls to fall down again like last night. My memories from the night before started to pour in.

I had ended up falling asleep outside on Axel's wolf. No one seemed to think to wake me up, so I woke up in the middle of the night, very surprised to find myself cuddling face to face with a 300+ pound wolf. My face was tucked under the wolf's chin and my body was wholly consumed by his large mass. It would have great, if not for the fact that it was 90+ degrees outside and the amount of heat his body was giving off was ridiculous. I had to pull away immediately and cool off.

I think it was being alone that made my walls fall down. The tranquility of the night and the lack of people that caused me to finally feel. I was fine at first, but slowly dark thoughts started to push through. Thoughts of my mom came first. Her gruesome death. Then thoughts of my family. I had no idea how my family was doing, and I had no way of contacting anyone. My aunt, my cousins...everyone could be dead. The tears sprung to my eyes before I could even try to control myself. Why was life like this? No one deserves to watch their friends and family torn to pieces. A loud sob ripped it way through me. I looked up trying to make sure no else heard it. Everyone still seemed to be asleep. All except for one. One large wolfy eye opened and captured me in it's grasp. I paused for a minute startled. I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and I got up from my sitting position next to Axel. There was no point in hiding my grief from him.

"I need to go for a walk" I started walking away from our little camping grounds. Axel's wolf quickly followed suit. I felt his fur brush against my hand as he made his way next to me.

"You don't need to come." I pulled away from the wolf, but he just stuck to me like glue.

After another minute of walking I just let it be. We travelled a little ways past the camp to another clearing. The moon hung high in the sky. It lit up the entire forest. I sighed and laid down on the ground, looking up to the night sky. I felt the prickling of grass as a cool breeze passed by. Axel's wolf laid down next to me. Not close enough to touch me, but close enough for me to feel his presence.

I let the tears fall down my face and wept in silence. Not bothering to wipe my face or hide myself from him. The moon watched my entire breakdown, silently and without judgment as well as Axel.

After 45 minutes of silent crying. I was able to pull myself together. I sat up and looked to the huge wolf next to me.

"Thank you," I looked at him with gratitude. He didn't move or make any noises, but his eyes said all that was needed to say. I smiled ruefully.

"I needed this." I had got up and brushed the dirt from my clothing. "Let's go back."

The wolf had gotten up with ease and we had walked back together quietly and without haste. His presence really brought me a sense of tranquility that was unreal. Is that what it feels like to have a mate?

"Helloooooooo," a high pitch voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Earth to Ashlyn."

I turned and saw that both Becca and Izzie were waiting for my response.

"Oh, I'm sorry you guys. I must have zoned out." I looked around my surroundings. Axel was behind us moving with a leisurely elegance that none of us could ever possess. My father snored lightly on his back. Meanwhile Jason and Kyle was at the front just a few inches behind Kathleen.