The Aqua Wolf

Chapter 2

When I finally reach my home, my mother comes running to me. "Nyla, where have you been? You got me worried sick!" She pushed my bangs out of my face.

"I was talking to Piper..." I said annoyed, pushing my bangs back to where they were. My mother does that whenever I come home only a few minutes late.

"What about?" My mother asks.

"About this legend called the Aqua Wolf. Have you heard about it?" I ask.

"Yes, actually. I heard about it years ago, when I was just a pup," She said moving things around the den, like all mothers do, "Very interesting story. Why do you ask?"

"Well," I hesitated, "Um. I want to see if I can find it," I finally manage to get the words out of my muzzle.

My mother laughs, "You're joking, sweetie...right?" She tilts her head at me, in a confused look.

"No mom, I mean it. If I did this, it would make my life more exciting," I continue, "and not do the same old boring things everyday..." I smile just thinking about it. My mothers confused look turned into her angry look.

"Nyla, you have everything you need here. No where else. It is safe in the forest, and I can't bare to live with myself if anything happened to you over the border. You are not going," She said firmly.

I let out a groan, "You never let me do anything fun!"

"To keep you safe!" She yell-said. Probably didn't want to wake up the neighbours. "You are the only one I love left..." She then said quietly.

Oh, right. Dad. When I was born, I desperately needed food or else I was going to die. My Dad volunteered to cross the border and get food...he didn't  come back.

I didn't say anything because it would only upset her even more. "I'm sorry mom...I'll go to bed." I hugged her.

"Goodnight," She said quietly.. Again.

...

The next morning, I wake up early to go cross the border. When I exit the den to leave, I say quietly, "Goodbye mother, See you soon." I run off.

I know I have reached the border when I see a fence with barbed wire. I quickly slip under it, and keep trotting.

Snap.

The sound of a twig snapping that was on the ground. I stop with a halt, "Who's there?" I growled.

I saw a few bushes move, but I can't make out who is behind them. I only sit there growling, waiting for something to happen.

"Hello there," A voice said behind me. I quickly turned around and saw...a male wolf. He had side-swept bangs, grey fur, and silver eyes that were staring right back at mine.

"H-Hi..." I stuttered.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you...the name's Asher. Who are you?" He asked. I am going to admit it, this wolf is cute.

"I-I'm not supposed to be talking to strangers...I say quietly, padding forward slowly.

"Come on. What's your name? I won't bite!" Asher jumped in front of me.

"Nyla," I say walking around him.

"Wow, what a beautiful name!" He said smiling. I only blushed a little, and kept moving on. "Where are you going?"

"To DarkWater Cave," I replied.

"DarkWater Cave? Isn't that where the Aqua-."

"Yes."

"Hm. The first wolf to do that..." I didn't reply to this.

"Well, that's a long ways away, and dangerous too," He said the slightest bit louder, for I was walking further away from him.

"I know." I stop for a second, trying to think about where I am, and I take a few whiffs.

Ah. The sweet smell of pine trees.

He chuckled, "Do you know the way?" Asher padded along side me.

"Yes-um. No. Not really."

"I can show you the way. I know these parts of the forest. C'mon." He started trotting in front, with me trailing behind.

"Alright." I rolled my eyes, but a tiny smile came out of me. Deep down inside, I wanted him to go with me.

"Do you live in Meadow National Park, Asher?" I ask.

"No," He said looking at the white mountains ahead of us, "I am a lone wolf. Out in the wild."

"Ah," I replied. "You should, full of friendly wolves and food."

" Nah, I think I am more comfortable alone." Asher pushes his bangs to the side of his face to prevent it poking his eyes. I just nodded.

Asher stops me as we come up to a cave. "What's wrong? Isn't this DarkWater Cave?" I asked.

"No. I know this place..." Asher's ears start to twitch as he smelled the air.

"What?" I kept asking but he wouldn't answer.

"Shh. I hear something," He froze. "Be quiet."

"I don't hear anything! Let's keep moving!" I said aloud. Before I knew it, I was pinned to the ground by a bigger, stronger wolf. I struggle to get out of the wolfs grasp, but he or she growled at me viciously. "Asher! Help me!"

"Nyla!" I see Asher thrust his body forward to push the other wolf off of my body. "Run!" Asher's pupils constricted. I did as he said and didn't look back. All I heard were the faint sounds of growling and snarling.