Dream Prince Wolf

Chapter 5: Investigating the Wolf

“Oh, no, I'm only teasing!" Emile responded with a loud chuckle. “She's not the mysterious type. So, I don't think that anyone would be tempted to follow her around."

“Don't count on that," Julietta responded as she twirled her hair between her fingers with her chin lifted. “I know I'm not a Hollywood queen yet, but I just might get a stalker even before that," she stated with a teasing smile.

“Oh, let's finish up with our tasks," Mrs. McGreeves commented. “We're chattering like fools."

They then heard a vehicle pulling in at the gate.

“It must be your father," Mrs. McGreeves responded. “Let me go and look."

“I heard a sound behind me just before I left the lakeside," Julietta whispered, as soon as her mother left the kitchen.

“What kind of sound?" Emile asked while he studied his reflection in the spoon that he was polishing.

“Just something like a movement," Julietta replied. She frowned as she tried to recall the moment when she felt startled by something in the forest. It had never happened before.

“It could have been anything," Emile responded. “Maybe it was a rabbit, a bird, or something. There are so many creatures in the woods that it could really be anything. What made you suspicious about the sound?" he asked with a curious look on his face.

“I just kept on thinking about what you said," Julietta replied. “You talked about someone following me."

“Then there you have it," Emile responded in a calm tone. “You were suddenly aware of the existence of other creatures out there. You were aware of something other than yourself and your mysterious wolf," he teased with a mischievous smile that made his eyes twinkle.

“I didn't know that you were still thinking about that wolf," Julietta responded with a contemplative frown on her forehead.

“Of course I would remember an unusual story like that," Emile responded. “It's not every day that you tell me about having seen a big wolf out by the lake," he explained in a serious tone now.

“So, you reckon that my imagination was running away with me when I heard that sound?" Julietta asked with a smile. She didn't want it to sound as if she had been seriously bothered about the incident because it suddenly sounded ridiculous.

“I think it can only be imagination," Emile responded in a reassuring tone of voice. “So, have you been thinking about next year's Prom?" he asked, changing the subject abruptly.

“I will start thinking about that in about two months' time," Julietta responded.

“You are more interested in your future career than in dreaming about the Prom, I see," Emile remarked with a curious frown on his brow.

“Why not?" Julietta responded with big, teasing smile which made her eyes dance mischievously. “Acting will be marvelous, but on the other hand, medicine will also be a thrill," she added.

Emile just shook his head at her. She was not like most girls out there.

***

Julietta sang at the top of her lungs at the side of the lake. Voice training was also important in the world of drama.

“What will be more difficult?" she asked herself afterward. “It's hard to get into medical school and getting recognized in the world of entertainment is just as hard," she concluded with a sigh as she sat near the lake, cupping her chin in her hand.

“Well, according to popular opinion, real talent partnered with meeting the right people makes it possible to make it in the film industry," she contemplated further. “With medicine I will only need to work hard. There are no lucky breaks which come from knowing or meeting someone famous there," she sighed.

She then stared into the forest as if the singing birds could give her an answer.

“Why isn't there a wise, wondering soul out there in the woods?" she asked out loud. “I could use some answers," she continued in despair.

The white wolf appeared as if it had heard her question. It stood there with its white coat blending into the fog. Its eyes appeared to be staring straight at her.

Julietta gasped at the sight.

“Ah, there you are," she then remarked softly. She felt a thrill deep inside her stomach. “Let's see how long you can stand there staring before you decide to move on," she added breathlessly.

“Are you afraid to come out to the water?" Julietta asked after a while. “You can't be afraid of me surely?" she asked with a frown.

After another couple of minutes, Julietta slowly gathered her homework. She placed it in her bag and slowly rose to leave. At this point, the wolf also apparently decided to leave. It turned around and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

“What to do now?" Julietta asked in surprise. “It's already dark, but I have a torchlight with me today. I guess I will just have to follow this creature," she remarked to herself. She then removed her flashlight from her bag and switched it on.

She then walked in the direction in which she had seen the wolf disappear.

“Where did you go now," she whispered. She brushed against tree branches while she walked at a brisk pace.

Eventually she saw the vague figure of the wolf prancing up ahead of her. It soon stood still and bent down. Julietta also paused.

“What are you doing now, wolf?" she whispered. She walked closer after a while to see what the wolf was doing. “I hope this isn't a trap," she said nervously.

Julietta then heard the sound of water. It seemed as if the wolf had bent down to drink at a stream in the forest.

“How interesting," the girl commented in wonder. “I will have to come back during the day. This must be a beautiful sight," she said before turning around slowly and walking back towards the lake. The thickness of the trees did not frighten her because the flashlight lit up everything in front of her.

“Yay!" she exclaimed when she reached the end of the forest. The lake beyond looked like a giant mirror in the moonlight. It didn't even look real.

“Pity I can't hang around and enjoy this," she thought. “But at least I got to experience a whole lot more of the wolf," she concluded.

“I wonder whether it's possible to predict when it's going to make an appearance?" she asked herself. “I will have to discuss this with Emile," she decided resignedly as she walked away from the lake.

When she reached the end of the footpath, Julietta saw a vehicle parked on the side of the road up ahead. As she walked closer she noticed that it was Emile's vehicle.

“Was he waiting for me or perhaps watching me?" she asked herself curiously.