The White Wolf

Lily

“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald

The sound of birds jolted me awake, my eyes blinking open to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the trees. For a brief moment, I forgot where I was, but the weight of recent memories settled upon me like a heavy cloak. I let out a weary sigh, realizing that I had become a rogue, a lone wolf in this vast and unpredictable world. The weight of my decision fully sinking in. You’ll think I’ll be use to it by now, but every day I’m reminded of my situation. The only thing keeping me sane and not missing home to much is Snow. I don’t know what I’ll do without her.

Stretching my tired muscles, I rustled the makeshift bed of moss and leaves beneath me. Rays of light danced and shimmered as they reflected off the nearby waterfall, creating a beautiful display of glistening colors that intertwined with the natural crystals.

This cave, hidden behind the waterfall, had become my new home—a place of shelter and protection that I had stumbled upon during my heat. I had been cooling off in the steam, lost in my own thoughts, when I was unexpectedly pulled under by the rushing water. Remembering my father’s voice, his lessons on swimming, I had managed to regain control and found myself in this hidden haven.

But that was only the beginning of the series of events that had unfolded since then.

It all started on a sunny day when I ventured out for my usual rounds of hunting and gathering supplies. It was a rare occasion when I would find myself among humans, though I still avoided contact with my own kind. On that particular day, as I went about buying clothes and other necessities, I found myself targeted by a sick individual—a human who thought it would be amusing to harass me.

I tried my best to ignore them, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention. But their aggression escalated, and I knew I had to escape. Narrowly evading their grasp, I thought I had managed to elude the trouble. Little did I know, fate had another challenge in store for me.

The weather suddenly shifted, the sky darkening as if to signal the arrival of dark times. An eerie feeling settled in the air, sending shivers down my spine and raising goosebumps on my arms. Snow, my instinctual companion, stirred within me, alerting me to the shift in the atmosphere. Without conscious thought, I found myself drawn towards the dense and eerie forest that lay ahead.

Whispers of distant voices reached my ears, faint at first but growing clearer as I ventured deeper into the woods. My senses heightened, I sniffed the air, catching a foul stench that told me rogues were involved. I treaded carefully, lurking behind dense trees, silently observing the scene that unfolded before me.

There, in the heart of the forest, an attack was taking place among rogues. Three of them circled a figure or figures, their snarls and nips filling the air with terror. It was a horrifying sight, and I knew I had to approach with caution, not wanting to exacerbate the situation.

Surveying my surroundings, my eyes fell upon an arched branch nearby—a fortuitous discovery that sparked an idea within me. With deft movements, I constructed a makeshift bow and arrows using the available resources. Climbing the tree, I positioned myself for a clear shot, ready to intervene and protect the vulnerable.

In three swift and well-aimed shots, my arrows found their mark, striking the rogue assailants. Chaos erupted as they recoiled from the surprise attack, their attention momentarily diverted from their victims. Seizing the opportunity, I descended from the tree, my actions swift yet graceful, and approached the injured figure lying defenseless on the ground.

She lay there, naked and covered in scars, her body marked by the harsh realities she had endured. Blood and dirt clung to her skin, a testament to her fierce struggle for survival. It was then that I noticed the small bump on her abdomen, an indication of life—a pup she had protected amidst the chaos. In that moment, I whispered to no one in particular, realizing the weight of the situation, “You’re pregnant.”

Questions swirled in my mind. Was she a rogue herself, or had her pack fallen victim to a ruthless attack? The heavy stench of blood, dirt, and death clung to the air, suffocating my senses and leaving me searching for answers.

Driven by an instinct to protect and nurture, I took her into my care, tending to her wounds and providing her with clothing and shelter. In the nights that followed, she would awaken with terrified screams, seeking solace and safety. It took time, but I managed to calm her fears, soothing her trembling form until she found respite in sleep.

Weeks turned into months, and a bond formed between us. Her name was Lily, and she had lost her pack to rogue attackers. With each passing day, we became closer, forging a friendship rooted in shared pain and the determination to survive.

Fast forward two and a half years later, and I found myself a rogue, a mother to Lily—a young pup whose biological mother had passed during childbirth. Lily knew nothing of her biological mother, and it weighed heavily on me, the guilt and helplessness lingering in my heart. In honor of Lily’s final wish, I named her Lily-Rose, a testament to the strength and love that had guided me on this journey. A combination of both our names. That way she has a piece of her mother with her.

But being a mother and a rogue came with its own challenges. The encounters with rogue werewolves forced me to learn the art of survival and self-defense. I sought guidance from distant packs, risking my life as a rogue trespassing in foreign territories, all in the pursuit of knowledge that would ensure my ability to protect myself and Lily.

I glanced to my side, Lily’s still sound asleep. As I watched her peaceful innocent face, a smile tugged at my lips, my heart soaring with love. I thought about how lucky I am to have such a treasure in my life. I ran my hand through her beautiful chocolate brown locks. They reminded me so much of her mothers.

Lily’s stomach made a low rumbling sound. I chuckled, someone’s hungry. I’m surprised she’s still asleep though. She must be tired. Well that’s my que. Time to forge for food.

as I ventured out to gather food for Lily and myself, I found myself once again facing danger. Rogue werewolves had stumbled upon my trail, refusing to relent in their pursuit. I knew that leading them to Lily was not an option, and a sense of urgency coursed through me as I tried to shake them off.

Hiding behind a tree, my heart pounded in my chest, the anticipation of being discovered causing my breath to catch in my throat. I peered cautiously, scanning the area for any signs of movement. Anxiety gnawed at my insides as the sound of approaching footsteps grew nearer. In a moment of desperation, I shifted my weight, inadvertently stepping on a twig that snapped loudly, betraying my presence. Panic surged through me as I realized my hiding spot had been compromised.

“You heard that?” one of the rogues exclaimed, his voice drawing closer. Fear coursed through my veins as I pressed myself against the rough trunk of the tree, praying that they would pass by without noticing me. But luck was not on my side that day.

“Over there,” another voice chimed in, indicating my general direction. They were closing in, and I knew escape was futile. With a heavy heart, I made a choice—I would stand my ground and fight, even if the odds were stacked against me.

Claws clashed, snarls and growls filled the air as the skirmish ensued. I fought with every ounce of strength I had left, lashing out at the rogue attackers. In the chaos, I managed to inflict a deep gash across one of their faces, a wound that would likely leave a lasting mark.

Yet, despite my determination, I was outnumbered. Two rogues lay dead at my feet, but three still remained, their menacing presence unwavering. My own strength began to wane, and the realization hit me—I needed to escape before I met the same fate as those who had fallen before me.

I made a desperate attempt to flee, my body aching and protesting with each agonizing step. But as I sprinted, a searing pain sliced across my abdomen—a deep claw mark, a brutal reminder of the danger that surrounded me. Clutching my stomach, I fought through the pain, retaliating against the rogue who had attacked me. My claws tore through flesh and sinew, severing his neck with a final, fatal blow. His lifeless body crumpled to the ground, a testament to the fierceness with which I defended myself.

I ran, a mixture of desperation and determination propelling me forward. The pain threatened to overwhelm me, but I refused to succumb. I had come too far to give up now. With each labored breath, I pushed myself to the limit, finally reaching the sanctuary of the cave just as darkness consumed my vision.

When I regained consciousness, I could feel Lily whimpering beside me, her wet tongue lapping at my face. I was in pain, the memory of the recent battle etched into my body. Lily, still a pup, sensed my suffering but was unable to offer much assistance. She cowered behind my hind leg, her small form trembling with fear and uncertainty.

In the distance, I heard growls—a group of wolves approaching. Five figures emerged from the shadows, their presence commanding and powerful. As the adrenaline coursed through my veins, I braced myself for whatever lay ahead, ready to defend Lily and myself at all costs.

“Mama,” Lily’s tiny voice broke through the tension, and I watched as Snow, the wolf within me, tilted her head toward the pup, offering a silent reassurance. The primal instinct to protect and nurture flowed through me, and I felt a surge of fierce determination.

But these wolves were different. The man who seemed to be their leader possessed an air of authority and power. Though still wary, I detected a slight softening in his demeanor as he observed the interaction between Snow, Lily, and me.

“The pup is safe,” he stated firmly, his voice laced with underlying power. Snow emitted a low growl, a warning to keep their distance. The scent of blood and death still lingered in the air, a reminder of the recent battle that had taken place.

Unfazed, the man, likely the beta of their pack, took a step forward. Snow’s growl intensified, but I could see a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. As the man’s gaze met mine, a silent understanding passed between us.

“Shift,” he commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority. Snow hesitated, refusing to yield to his command. Lily, sensing her mother’s defiance, nuzzled against Snow’s hind leg, seeking comfort and protection.

In that moment, I made a choice. With pain radiating through my body, I shifted, my human form emerging from within the wolf’s embrace. The transformation was accompanied by a mixture of relief and vulnerability. I knew I had to trust my instincts and assess the situation.

The man’s eyes, filled with both power and empathy, met mine. The scars on my torso were still fresh, a testament to the battles I had fought and survived. I stood before him, wounded but unbroken, a testament to the strength and resilience that had carried me thus far.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice laced with caution and weariness. I would protect Lily at all costs, but I would not blindly trust those who crossed our path.

His voice held a tinge of respect as he responded, “We mean you no harm. We sensed the battle that took place here, and we have come to offer assistance, if you’ll accept it.”

I assessed the wolves before me, the tension in my

body slowly easing. There was something about the man’s words that struck a chord within me—a flicker of hope amidst the darkness. As I glanced at Lily, her innocent eyes filled with trust, I made a choice—to accept the help that was offered, cautiously allowing these wolves into our lives.

The journey had been long and arduous, filled with pain, loss, and unimaginable challenges. But as I looked at the man before me, I couldn’t help but wonder if this encounter marked the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter where Lily and I would find a sense of belonging, a pack that would offer us the protection and support we desperately needed.

With a nod, I signaled my acceptance, willing to take the leap into the unknown. The man extended his hand, a gesture of camaraderie and unity. I hesitated only for a moment before clasping his hand in mine, sealing a silent pact that would forever change the course of our lives.