Page 49 of Through the Wicked Wood

Susi.

Wolf.

Chapter 26

Elora

“Once upon a time, there was an Enchantress who loved a little girl very much. But the little girl did not know her power.”

“Here comes my favorite part.” I giggled, eyes heavy with sleep. The sunset had long since passed, replaced by silver slices of moonlight. My mother shushed me, running a delicate hand over my cheek.

“One day, the little girl will grow big and strong—”

“Like you mama?”

“Even stronger, yet, susi. Can you guess? How strong will you be, Elora?”

“As strong as an ox?” I managed to ask through a yawn.

Leaning down, her lips brushed against my brow. My eyelids were too heavy, but I managed to lift them in time to see her dark hair fall forward, encasing me momentarily.

“No, my girl,” she whispered against my skin. “Stronger yet.” I tried to keep my eyes open, fighting against the call for sleep to admire how her silver eyes glow in the dark. But I was only five and I was so, so tired.

“You, Elora Leigh,” she whispered, the warmth of her body slowly faded as she drifted from my bed, moving toward the door of our room. “You will be as strong as a wolf.”

* * *

“Elora, what is it?” Sorin’s at my side in an instant, though he makes no attempt to touch me again. Having learned quickly I’m best left alone in my moments of panic.

“My mother.” My voice waivers as I drop my hands to my sides. I make no effort now to conceal my pain. Little by little that guilt ridden armor has been cracking since Loxley, and little by little my confidence builds in its absence. I shouldn’t feel the need to hide from my pain. From my past. Not here, with them. Not with myself. The air that fills my lungs is sticky and warm, but I let it be a reminder that I’m still breathing. I’m still here.

“She used to call me susi,” I explain, my breathing erratic. “From the moment I was born. I thought it was just an endearing nickname until the other day.” I flash my eyes past Sorin to the rest of the group. “The other day when Agnes had a premonition in the kitchen, she called me susi as well.” Shaking my head, I glance toward Jarek. “I never knew the meaning…until now.” His solemn expression hardens when another howl bounces around us.

“I don’t understand,” Sam says, keeping her back pressed against Jarek, her weapon glistening in the sunlight. Such a beautiful thing to carry with such a devastating purpose. “Elora, what does the word wolf have to do with you?”

The ear splitting howls from earlier transform to low growls as the wolves move closer.

“Whatever is going on, Enchantress, you realize you aren’t alone in this?” Galen’s voice has softened as he steps around Sorin toward me, but before he can make it any further, the shape of a familiar predatory beast blocks the sun from behind me, casting a shadow large enough to engulf the two of us.

Everyone, save for Sorin and myself, let out audible gasps as Alaric hops down from the fallen log behind me. I dart my eyes between the wolf and Sorin, then to Sam and Jarek. Finally, to Galen who stands before me. A second wolf hops atop a fallen log adjacent to me. Her coat, black as night, with bright green eyes that burn against the summer sun. The same wolf that had been with Alaric on the riverbank, I realize.

The hair on Alaric’s back stands straight on end as he hunches his body toward the ground. His low growl drips with warning as he narrows his focus on Galen, elongated canines peeking out through a snarled snout. To Galen’s credit, he doesn’t move a muscle. Doesn’t show an inkling of fear as the wolf stares him down. Wielding both his axes, Jarek steps forward, surprisingly light on his toes, placing himself between the wolf and Galen. Without thinking, I move to position myself between the wolf and Jarek.

“What are you doing!” The terror in Sam’s voice is unnerving but I keep my calm.

“Just trust me, Sam,” I say. Looking up at Jarek, Alaric inches closer to my rear, brushing me slightly with his nose. “Lower your axes, Jarek.” Holding my hand outward, I gesture for him to drop them. He begins to shake his head when Sorin steps in, placing a hand on Jarek’s back.

“Listen to her,” Sorin says. It isn’t a request. Jarek frowns but he does as Sorin says. As I say. He lowers his axes to his sides.

“He won’t hurt you.” I wish my voice was more convincing as I unclench my fists. I hadn’t realized I’d balled them up so tightly, little crescent moons dented into my palms. “He won’t hurt any of us.”

Alaric takes the cue and straightens to his full height before dipping his chin down to nuzzle the side of my neck. Sam gasps, her face horrified and before I can reassure her that he is not harmful, Galen takes a step toward the wolf and me. The black wolf who has been perched upon the fallen log stands attentively, her massive frame taking up most of the tree trunk, as Galen closes the distance between us.

Alaric’s sharp canines peek out again, the sight of them enough to make Galen halt his steps. But as I pat the wolf's side, he relaxes, snapping his jaw shut and lowering his haunches. Galen must see this as an opportunity as he makes the final step toward me.

“Elora,” he says softly. I shoot a look towards Sorin and see that he’s retreated with Jarek to a nearby tree. Leaning against it nonchalantly, as if everything happening is completely ordinary. “What you say next is very important,” Galen continues, reaching his hand out cautiously toward Alaric. The wolf sniffs the air around Galen before turning his head, dismissing him as any sort of threat.

“Have you ever…” Galen’s voice trails off as he pulls his hand back from the wolf and places it on my shoulder. It takes me a moment to realize what he was doing. He asked the wolf's permission to touch me. Be near me. I glance at his hand on my shoulder. “Have you ever spoken to these wolves, Elora? Whether it be aloud or…in your mind?”

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