Wolf

Chapter 1

~Aala~

I walked silently through the dead of the night, my black coat gleaming in the moonlight. I cranned my neck to see where the moon was. Just the right height, I thought. Tonight is the full moon. People hunt mystical creatures during the full moon, so it is my night to stay away from humans. I can't even go to the palace, where I grew up, to see Candace, my adoptive mother.

Why anyone would want to look after me, was beyond strange. I am a wolf, pure black. My thick bushy tail is longer than the average wolf, and I am taller than an average wolf, though my hunting skills are the same. My padded feet keep me running through the day, and at night are a good bed for my head.

I curl under the protective branches of the tree above me, and the leaves of the shrubs. Its the full moon hunt, and whatever is found tonight, the people of the castle will cheer forever. That is why I don't go near them, nor do I plan on ever doing that, anyway.

I hear the clutter of horses hooves on the ground nearby. They never get this far! I cower into the trees, not wanting to be seen by the huntsmen. They would shoot me without a second glance, and I would be dead. Brought back as a trophy, shown to the village. That would only happen if I was dumb enough, but I luckily have some sense as to right and wrong.

The hooves continue on towards me. I prick my ears for the details. They are headed towards the river. They have seen a deer. That is something that they are always bringing back. A deer. I love to eat deer, and the men take them away, as though its their right to have them, or something.

I hear the ominous sound of the bowmen shooting the deer, the sound of something heavy falling to the river bed, then the shouts of the men. I sulk lower into the bushes, where they would never be able to see me.

The men get back onto their horses and gallop back to their pallace, the deer hanging dead from one of the carrier horses. Once I'm sure that they have all gone, I stand and shake all of the dead leaves from my thick black coat.

"That was some deer they caught, eh?" I hear someone say. I look around wildly. I can place a name to the voice, but not a where. Its the prince, from the castle. He never joins the hunts, he is only about fifteen years old. Which is the same age that I am, might I add?

"Sure was, my Prince." The other man says. I spot them just next to the river. They are dipping their feet in the water. Their horses are grazing by the side of the river, tied to a tall tree nearby.

"Enough with this 'my Prince' buissness, Ben, we are equals out here. Friends." The prince says. He says it as though Ben would follow his will, though no body ever does, as he is just the prince, of royal blood.

Ben stutters, then relises that the Prince is waiting for a reply. He nods quickly and then continues to wash the Princes feet. I sigh. He is such a handsome prince. If there was one thing that I would like, it was for him to see me.

Though then he would see a wolf, and not a girl. Quikly, I glance at the moon. Midnight. I can change to a human for an twenty minutes at midnight, then after that I am a wolf for the rest of the day, and night.

At the same time, the Prince looks at the moon. He glances around, looking for a way out. Ben glances at the moon as well, then runs to his horse, takes the princes horse, and gets away from there.

What?! How could he leave the prince there?! On his own? At midnight? Did he know what was out there? I mean, I was out there, and I am dangerous. I'm a wolf. A dangerous wolf. A wolf that no one can see when she is creeping up on them because she is pure black.

I hear a strange ripping sound. I look around wildly. I can see the bushes where the prince was and think he's in trouble! I run as fast as I can through the bushes. My four legs rapidly beome two legs as I transform into a human.