The Girl and the Wolf

Chapter 6

(Mary)

I left Todd back at the village. Not wanting to lie to me anymore. I told him I was going to get some food. Which was only the half the truth. If he is going to lie to me then I'll return the favor. Though I had really gotten a baguette and some cheese, but I wasn't going to eat it in town.

I had snuck through a secret hole in the wall. I know I'm suppose to be serving Sterling and his men. It wasn't the worst task, definitely when you served some with a face like Sterling's.

I look around at the tall pine trees that surround me. I've always loved smell of the woods. Maybe because it is a place that people have not yet ruined. I follow a familiar trail. Humming a tune my mom used sing before to me before I fell asleep. Then I notice hoof prints, they look fresh. Forgetting about my picnic spot I decide to follow the tacks.

It looks as if whoever rode this way came from my village. Hmm, only council members are allowed outside of the walls.

Then I see a horse tied to a bush. I recognize that unusual chestnut red color anywhere. It is Sterling's horse. So he must be somewhere around here. I walk up to the horse and notice a unique symbol branded on the saddle. It looks like a X with pitchforks at the end, and a small circle in the middle.

"Hey! What do you think your doing."

A familiar voice makes me jump, Sterling. Hoping he won't be made I turn around and push off my hood.

"Sorry, I was out for a walk and I saw your horse."

"That's fine. I didn't know it was you. Didn't mean to scare you."

He smiles and walks to me. Then he asks

"Dear little Mary what do you have in that basket?"

The way he says my name makes my heart beat uncontrollably. Must be something wrong with it. I realize I haven't answered I quickly say.

"Some bread and cheese."

"I was going for a picnic would you like to come?"

I add trying not to be embarrassed. I know it is improper for a lady to ask a man on a date. Was it even a date? I don't know. To my relief he laughs a honest laugh. I don't know how I can tell but something about him reminds me of myself.

"Yes, I would love to I'm starving."

I lead him to my secret picnic place. Shrubs surround a patch of grass. Making it invisible to most who pass by it. My parents had showed me this spot. They always told me it was a magical place, filling my head with stories and fairy tales. Sterling looked at her with something she couldn't place.

"What made you want to come out to the woods? Haven't you heard the big bad wolf is near. "

"I just needed to get away from the wait of the village. When I come out here I feel free. I don't have people marking me different."

He looked confused, then asked.

"Why do they mark you different?"

I bite my lip and wonder if I should tell him. Will he think I'm tainted too?

"When I was little I broke one of their sacred rules. Me and my friend Todd were playing by the river just outside the walls. Then the warning bell sounded telling us the wolf was near. Well I knew we wouldn't make it inside in time. So I decided to seek safety in the trees. First rule I broke. When was climbing I slipped and fell. Then I saw the wolfs figure. The wolf I saw sparred me. No one has ever seen the wolf that close and Lived to tell."

He started at me in astonishment for a second. I new what was coming next. Poison would soon fill his eyes.

"No one should be judged for trying to save another. Even if it you go against what other people think."

"Thanks, no ones ever said something that nice to me before."

He put his hand on my cheek and said.

"Mary you are a beautiful star to bright for these dull people."

In that moment I knew it would be okay as long he was around. I wanted to be with him but he hunts werewolves. He hunt my friend Allison. I don't know if I can get over that.

"Why do you hunt werewolves?"

He looked down, I can see the invisible wait on his shoulders.

"I don't just hunt werewolves. I hunt creatures that terrorize villages like yours. I don't hunt all Lycanthropes."

"Good."

I said and leaned in and kissed him. At first his mouth was stiff then he softened. We kiss each other for a long time. Soon he was on top of me and placing soft kisses on my neck. Then he suddenly stopped.

I open my eyes and look up at him.

"What wrong?"

He sighs and kisses my temple. Sending sparks through my body. He gets up and looks around.

"It almost dark, the council will announce their decision. I am truly sorry I don't have more time."

He looks as mad about that as I do.

"I have to get back to. But I will be punished for leaving so I must go in a hidden hole."

"I'll give you a ride there."

I smile and climb on the horse. I wrap my are around his muscular torso. We gallop towards the village.