Page 4 of Wolf Trapped
Take the pack back to the village. There are humans in the forest.
What are you going to do?I ask, not wanting to leave his side now that there is a real threat.
I’m just going to observe them. Go.
Angela nudges me with her snout, clearly having received the same order from the alpha, and barks out an order to the rest of the pack. A few male wolves stay behind, but we make sure the rest of the pack runs ahead as we sprint through the trees.
When we reach the clearing, Angela shifts back and dresses quickly. “Everyone shift and go to your homes. We can’t let humans see us. You know the drill.”
I race into the forest where I left my clothes as Angela calls out orders behind me. Could the rumors of a spy be true? Could humans be spying on us? To what end, though? Why would humans want to spy on a seemingly normal little village?
When I get to the spot where we left my clothes, they are gone. Maybe I am in the wrong place? I could have sworn this was the right place, though. I scan the area and see Archer’s clothes are still in a neat pile by the tree.
I cock my head to the side, unsure where they could have gone. Did someone steal them? Archer’s clothes are exactly where he left them.
A twig snaps in the forest behind me, and I turn with a growl. A wolf I don’t recognize stands in the brush and undergrowth, watching me with hatred. My hackles rise as the gray wolf snarls at me. I crouch, ready for the attack I know is coming.
“Jara?” Angela’s voice fills the space. The wolf flinches, taking its eerie yellow eyes off me, and takes off in the other direction.
I growl, poised to follow and chase it out of our pack lands or just to find out who they are and what they want. I don’t know the entire pack yet. It could be someone here, and that’s almost scarier than a trespasser.
When Angela comes into view, she scowls down at my wolf. “You can’t run into the woods alone when humans are around. The alpha will skin me alive.” She throws her hands up.
Shifting quickly, I reach for Archer’s shirt and pull it on. He won’t mind, especially since my clothes are gone. He would rather I steal his shirt than walk through pack lands naked.
“I came to find my clothes, but they are gone, and then a strange wolf showed up….” I trail off as her eyes glow with anger.
“What strange wolf?” She breathes in deeply through her nose, sniffing the air, and growls. “I don’t recognize the scent.”
“What?” I screech. Angela knows every wolf in the pack and would be able to identify them as pack by their scent. How is it that she doesn’t? “So it’s not a member of the pack? I haven’t seen everyone in wolf form.”
“No. That wasn’t a wolf from our pack. I would recognize the scent. There is something familiar about it, but I just can’t place it.”
“Shouldn’t we go after him? The pack could be in danger with a strange wolf here.” I chew my lip looking in the direction the wolf went.
“I don’t particularly like the idea of the alpha skinning me alive for taking you into danger.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“That’s true, but what about the safety of the pack? What if the humans see him?”
“C’mon, we need to get you back to the pack house before alpha gets back there.” She nods to the trees that will lead us back, and I stand, moving to her side.
How did a strange wolf come to be on pack lands without anyone knowing it? What is the wolf doing here, and why did he seem like he hated me when I have no idea who it is?
I’m jumping at shadows as we make our way down the path. Every animal that rustles in the brush and every time a bird chirps, I am jumping out of my skin, waiting for the strange wolf or humans to show up.
“Calm down, Jara. You’re safe.” Angela pats my shoulder.
“You know we would have a very different situation if you hadn’t shown up when you did.” I wring my hands together in front of me.
“I don’t understand something. Why steal your clothes? It was a male wolf, right? What was the game there?” Angela stomps up the steps to the large cabin-style home. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room give it a modern twist and look out over the forest.
It’s a beautiful home with its rustic feel mixed with modern convenience. It is much prettier than where I thought I would be living, with exposed beams in the ceiling and the rich brown over-stuffed couches.
“I need a drink.” Angela sighs, moving to the bar in the corner of the room. It, too, is beautiful rich dark wood with a marble countertop.
“Do you want something?” Angela asks.
I shake my head. I don’t think alcohol will help me with my current emotions. I flop onto the couch, dropping my head into my hands.
