The Alphas Sanctuary

New Beginnings

      Apryl laid on the forest floor, the wind blew through the trees causing the leaves shadows

to dance around her. The creek running beside her gave off a cooling mist as it tumbled over

the rocks. She had found this small spot deep in the forest. 

    She was new to this town, and this was just the kind of place she needed in her life. Calm, quiet, and not another human in sight. The complete opposite as to how her life felt. She moved to this small off the  beaten path town just the day before eager for a new start. Where no one knew her; or how broken she was for that matter.

    She had decided to take today for herself. To hell with the unpacking she only brought her

clothes and a few trinkets. She left everything with any trace of memory of her past there, in the

past. This was going to be good for her. She hoped anyway. 

    Taking a long sip of water she listened to the sounds of the forest. Little critters running about rustling leaves high in the branches. Birds singing their songs. Apryl found the busyness of the forest calming, she wondered what other treasures she may find out here.

     The sun was still high in the autumn sky, just a little bit further she thought to herself. Tucking her water back into her pack she decided to follow the creek a few miles past the bend. Few minutes later the brush started to make it harder to pass, and the creek seemed to be getting wider. She almost turned back, but she found the sounds of rushing water encouraging.

    She loved water, it calmed her soul and always seemed to relax and put her weary mind at ease. And currently she was wound tight and her mind hadn't been at ease in weeks. 

By the rumbling and splashing sounds ahead, she thought there might be some rapids ahead. Breaking through some weeds and vines that had blocked her path; she was finally able to break through, the sight took her breath away. 

    She hadn’t heard rapids, the layer of thick brush had muffled the sounds of a rolling waterfall! Apryl tilted her head to the sky, the waterfall was so tall she swore it had to be pouring straight from the heavens. Wow, she muttered to herself.Places like this were only real in paintings. It was perfect. 

Whitepebbles littered so thickly on the ground, it covered like sand beneath her feet. Wild flowers and tiger lilies grew randomly along the tree line. Random large boulders were scattered around the large pool of water.

     Finding a flat rock formation about six foot high, scalable, she quickly scaled to the top to have a better view. She sat there as if in some trance. This by far was the prettiest place on earth. Birds flew and played in the air chasing each other. The roar of the falls was like soothing music to her ears. She took a deep breath and felt herself relax. The sun warmed her face, the sky turning the brightest colors of orange and pinks.

    Apryl knew that she should head back for home, she didn’t want to get lost out here in the woods in the dark. The thought of leaving this place so soon after finding it saddened her. Sighing to herself she prepared to climb back down to the ground.

Splash

    The sound took her by surprise. Whatever had made that splash was too large to be a

fish. She could see the spray of water go higher in the air then where she sat. Peering over the

rock ledge she searched for whatever had caused such a splash. There below the water's

surface was a huge black dog creature swimming to the surface. 

    She could tell even from its distance away, that it certainly was no ordinary dog, it was far too large. Maybe a wolf? She had only ever seen a wolf up close at the zoo and from what she could remember it was half the size of the creature below her. Was it possible that wolves were just larger out here in the wild?

Apryl was frozen in place watching as the wolf’s snout surfaced. She watched as it sniffed the

air, stilled, and smelt the air again. Crap, does it smell me?  Apryl held her breath. 

    The beast's head snapped. The brightest teal eyes she had ever seen looked in her direction. She was hypnotized by those eyes. Bright, clear, and not at all frightening. Apryl knew that this wild animal could tear her to shreds in a matter of moments, and she should be terrified. Oddly enough she didn’t feel an ounce of fear. Maybe a little nervous, but not afraid.

    Unsure what to do, she sat as still as possible. Maybe it didn't see her?

 Yea right Apryl the steroid induced sized wolf didn't see you. Don't be stupid she thought to herself.

     Silently the creature exited mere feet from her and shook the water from its fur. It's fur was as dark as night, only making its eyes even brighter. She should be terrified, screaming, running, anything but sitting here staring. But she didn't move, or utter a sound. 

    If this thing was going to kill her, she wasn't about to spend her last moments screaming. The beast definitely wasn’t intimidated by her as it slowly stalked towards her. It was huge! So tall that its head was even with the height where she sat. It was definitely a male wolf that stood in front of her. His snout inches from her face.

    Lowering his head slightly he pushed his nose closer to her neck. Apryl thought for sure she

was about to die, but he only sniffed her. Then strangely the wolf pulled his face back shaking his head as if in confusion . As if it had a mind of its own, Apryl's hand reached out and gently stroked the side of his face.

     His fur was even softer than it looked, feeling like silk between her fingers. Reaching into his fur deeper she felt electricity in her fingertips and let out a small gasp. The wolf closed his eyes and nuzzled deeper into her hand with a quiet whimper. This brought a smile to her face. Why wasn't she afraid? And when did she become so daring as to touch a wild animal? He pushed his nose into her neck and smelled her again, whatever was happening this animal enjoyed her smell.

    Suddenly the wolf pulled back, eyes snapped open, ears laying flat it growled low and threatening at her. She froze, her hand still out reaching. He growled again before turning and running into the tree line. Apryl let out a breath she wasn’t aware she had been holding and dropped her hand. By far that was the most amazing thing that had ever happened to her. Even if she had someone to tell, they would never have believed her. It was only then she realized how dark it had become....shit