The Wolf in the Woods

Peter or Paul

"I have to go" Charlotte whispered.

She laid still for a long time until it became apparent that the wolf also wasn't moving. Her foster parents would be angry if she arrived home too late.

The wolf watched Charlotte as she carefully stood up and began walking toward the path. He allowed her to put some distance between them before getting up and following behind her. This time he didn't hide.

Charlotte kept glancing behind her to see what the wolf was doing. She was concerned that he might try to ambush her but the wolf just followed her quietly. He didn't try to get any closer.

Maybe he wasn't interested in hurting her? Although he looked scary he certainly didn't act like a wild wolf. Perhaps he had been someone's pet and they abandoned him here. That would certainly make sense Charlotte thought.

The sun was beginning to dip behind the trees when they reached the edge of the woods. Charlotte stopped and turned to look at the wolf.

"Thank you for saving me but you can't follow me any further." She said hoping the animal would understand. She knew that wolves were intelligent creatures and this one seemed particularly intelligent.

Whether he understood or not she didn't know but either way he didn't follow her past the edge of the woods.

"Where have you been Charlotte!? We've been worried sick!" Elaine screeched as soon as she stepped through the door.

Charlotte stared at her in surprise before noticing that her caseworker was there sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea in his hand.

"I'm sorry Elaine. I decided to walk home but it took longer than I thought." Charlotte explained.

She could have said something about being forced to walk to school but she decided it was best to leave that part out.

"Mr. Peter Rayburn has been waiting here for hours! He came to see how you're settling in."

"It's Paul..." The caseworker corrected.

"No matter, Charlotte is here now so you can get started." Elaine continued.

"Yes," Paul said placing his cup of tea down and picking up a yellow legal pad.

"How are you doing Charlotte?" He asked.

"Fine"

"How is school going? Have you adjusted well?"

Charlotte could feel Elaine watching her intently.

"It's been good. I've met a few nice people."

"That's great! You've made friends?" Paul asked cheerfully.

"Yes, I guess you could say that."

"Wonderful...."

Paul continued with a few more icebreaking questions. Charlotte was anticipating him to shift to a more probative query soon. She'd been through the process enough times to know what to expect.

"Elaine, I would like to ask Charlotte a few questions in private. Would you mind waiting in the other room?"

Yep, here we go Charlotte thought.

"...of course" Elaine responded, her thin lips tightening in displeasure.

The woman gave Charlotte a stern look as she left the room. A warning not to say anything that would be unfavorable.

Charlotte would be well within her rights to complain about the living conditions she was subjected to here. Walter and Elaine were making her sleep in a cold dark basement, they barely fed her, and they weren't particularly nice... but the truth was Charlotte had experienced much worse and if she complained she would be taking a gamble that the next family wouldn't treat her worse than this one. She wasn't sure it would be worth it.

At least here she wasn't being beaten Charlotte thought as she stroked the long scar on her arm. It was a reminder of how bad a foster family could be.

"How do you feel about living with the Watson's? Are they kind to you?"

"They are decent people I think." She answered noncommittally.

Charlotte continued answering questions until Paul seemed satisfied that she wasn't being abused here.

"It was so nice having you! When will you be back?" Elaine asked as Paul donned his hat and coat in preparation to leave.

Charlotte rolled her eyes knowing that the true purpose of her question was to ensure she wasn't caught being anything but motherly.

"We make periodic wellness visits but they are random so I can't say exactly when the next one will be but it'll be soon," Paul answered kindly.

It wasn't true. Caseworkers were always overloaded and they rarely made wellness visits.

As soon as Paul left Elaine turned on her dropping the facade.

"You're lucky that Mr. Rayburn thinks well of us. What really took you so long girl?!" Elaine snarled after the caseworker left. "Were you messing around with a boy in the woods?"

"What? No!" Charlotte protested.

"You look like the type! Loose skirts, loose morals, loose.."

"Stop it!" Charlotte screamed.

"Go to your room, girl! I've had enough of this."

Charlotte huffed angrily and stomped off to her room.

How dare this scarecrow woman accuse her of such things!? She barely escaped those cursed woods with her life!

What excuse would they have if she died? That certainly would have made a bad impression.

Charlotte screamed into her pillow in frustration as angry tears fell.

*** GIO ***

"There's to be a council meeting on Sunday... in two moons."

Gio barely glanced up from the moonshine he was lapping out of the bowl.

"I know you no longer care about such things but if you are to be alpha one day it is important for you to keep up with what's going on. You must stay connected with the pack. ALL of the pack. Even those in different forms." She lectured.

His sister was persistent. Even after the change she never stopped trying to connect with him. Bringing him exotic meats and the Goddess' moonshine. Reminding him of human things.

"Uncle said we are to decide whether the new human girl gets to stay. She's stirring up quite the controversy."

Gio quickly swiveled his head around to look at her. She had his attention now.

Was she talking about his mate? He had to know.

He made a high-pitched whining sound.

"The girl? Do you know of her? Long brown hair, pretty, kind of short?" His sister asked.

Gio nodded.

"Oh, well the pack is going to decide her fate at the meeting. If you want a vote you better be there."

Gio sighed. Looks like he was going to have to make an appearance at this stupid meeting.