The rain and the wolf

The rain pattered down through the leaves, drowning out the sound of her tears. She was alone. Curled under a tree with the largest bit of soft earth and cover she could find. Through the drops that covered her vision like a veil she looked across the forested clearing at the little pond that was now dancing and welcoming its friends with joy.

She breathed in the earthy scent of the damp ground she lay on. Covered though she was by the tree’s leaves, a few raindrops managed to find their way to her. They hid in her hair, touched her cheek, and seeped theirselves into her bones. She was cold. Still though, she’d rather be shivering, she thought, than beyond the world of the trees. She felt safe here. There was magic in these woods and in that magic she would find the healing her soul needed. If only I weren’t alone.

Immersed in the sound of the rain, she didn’t quite notice at first a new sound from the trees to her right. A deeper sound, audible above the rain, but just barely. A grumbling breath that warmed the air around it so the air steamed. He emerged from tree line, glowing eyes first, and approached the girl.

It was then she saw him. A wolf. Though he couldn’t have been an ordinary wolf. He towered above her, nearly as tall as the trees around him. His strength radiated from him, his teeth bared and she knew she ought to be afraid. Knew that this very well could be the last creature she encountered on this earth. He could tear her in half, he could outrun her, there was nothing to be done if he wanted her.

But she wasn’t scared. She was entranced. He was magnificent. He was the magic she felt around her. It emanated from him so powerfully she was surprised she wasn’t physically blown away. She hadn’t moved from her curled position on the floor. Cold seeped into her bones making it impossible to move but she stared up at the wolf. She wanted to stare as long as she could at him. She watched the wolf sniff, she imagined him inhaling her scent and soon he turned away. He moved beyond her line of sight and she tried to get up to see why he was suddenly leaving her. Unable to lift her head any longer she laid back down. His absence heavy in her heart. As she was about to close her eyes, she felt him. As large as he was, his movements were gentle. He came up behind her and laid down. She felt his fur behind her body and she slowly inched into his warmth. He nuzzled the top of her head with his nose and she knew she was safe. She rolled away from the rain, away from the outside world and breathed in the wolf beside her. Let the rain fall. This, this is where her soul belonged.