The Alpha Dire Wolf

“Is that all?” I asked once we were seated. “You don’t remember anything else?” “No,” she said. “Just that they didn’t come around anymore after that. Maybe the historical society can help you out. They’ll have records of all that, details, those sorts of things. That’s what they’re good for.” I nodded slowly. “Yes, you’re…

Jackson and the rest of the Elder Council disagreed, however, and their point had been proven. The animals stampeding through the woods had been detected over an hour before they left the confines of the trees and raced through town. Dark magic was afoot, and they insisted that “the woman” must be kept isolated. They…

“Thank you.” The man looked me up and down with a clinical eye, like a doctor, not an ogre. “What kind’o ferrest stuff you need?” “Better than this.” I waved at my current outfit of leggings, red shirt and sneakers. “Ye huntin’?” “No, no, nothing like that. Walking. Hiking. Exploring. That sort of thing.” “O’coarse.…

The shopkeeper stood, and the clouds parted, the sun beaming down again as the last of the wildlife scampered on past, leaving nothing but confusion in their wake as they headed for the forest on the other side of town from which they came. We exited the store, as everyone else was doing from other…

It was perhaps a bit rude of a first question, but this was the second time I’d seen him. Both times he’d been watching me. “Following you?” he asked, tilting his head sideways. Somehow that made him evenmore attractive. “You’re the one following me. You were looking for me.” “What?” I shook my head forcefully.…

A cold wave zipped through my veins, chilling them. I stood perfectly still. Could that be what happened? Is everything she’s doing an act while her magic works on me so subtly that I cannot notice it? Suddenly wary, I considered this new angle. It would explain the bone-deep desire I’d had since she’d been…

I clenched my jaw to stop myself from an instant retort. It was a valid point, and one I would make to anyone who came to me if I were on the other side. “Perhaps. But I don’t sense any malevolence from her. No evil.” “Of course you can’t,” Germander said, shaking his head. “But…

Shadows moved to my right without permission of the very faint light. I was mid-stride when I saw it happen and immediately twisted to try to absorb the hit. It only partiallyworked. Something in the darkness slammed into my side, throwing me down. Thanks to my quick actions, I landed on my feet, paws sliding…

“Your grandmother has always loved it. Had an appreciation for it and for the living things, much as I do. But while my love is more down to earth, more focused on the individual things, the tree here, the rock there, Charlie, etc., your grandmother saw thebig picture. She loved the forest, for all it…

We smiled and embraced, and then I watched her head down the driveway to where she’d parked her little red Mazda against the curb. Putting on a smile, I waved goodbye as she pulled out, hoping my impatience didn’t show. The second she was gone, I turned around, my back to the street, looking out…