The Wolf of the Woods

Chapter 7

The scent of herbs and sweetgrass filtered into the she-wolf's nose breaking her out of her staring contest with the male to look at the door.

Oddly enough her instincts calmed at the scent, feeling safer with the familiar scent already. The door opened and an older female walked it.

She had dark brown hair with only a few strands of white to show her age. Bright brown eyes and a soft-featured face smiling at the she-wolf as she walked into the room holding a bag.

"Hello dear, My name is Dena. I am the healer who has treated your wounds so far." She said softly as she set down the bag a few feet from the she-wolf.

The she-wolf watched warily as this 'Dena' sat down next to the bag and opened it. She pulled something soft and fuzzy from her bag and set it on the floor. Then she pulled a jar with herbs inside it out.

The she-wolf sniffed the air subtly trying to figure out the rich earthy scent that came from the jar. "It's a herb to help with infection, goldenseal. It's also very bitter so don't lick this away." Healer Dena said smiling as she noticed the she-wolf's curiosity growing.

"I normally use this on young pups who are more prone to chewing bandages off or troublesome males." She added giving the Alpha a pointed look.

The she-wolf quickly glanced at the Alpha and huffed as she turned her attention back to the Healer.

Healer Dena pulled another vial out of her bag filled with a sweet-scented oil that almost instantly made the she-wolf relax. "Well, would you look at that. You haven't even opened the vial of valerian out yet and she's already drowsy." The Alpha laughed.

The she-wolf growled at his voice only to be cut off by the Healer as she grabbed out scissors. Her ears flattened against her head and she whined softly, voicing her unease.

"Shh little wolf, I will not harm you. I spent hours trying to save you and that would be counterproductive." The healer said with a wink. She cut a cloth and poured a small amount of oil onto it and set it in front of the she-wolf.

The she-wolf took a deep breath in, inhaling the thickly sweet scent and sighed contently. She likes this smell, it reminded her of home, her mother used to light candles from their healer made from this scent whenever visiting Alpha's came, to help prevent fights from breaking out. Especially with the younger alpha children who are newly shifted.

She remembered when her youngest brother shifted for the first time and how he started a fight with her father, testing him, pushing him to react.

Needless to say, the young teenager was quickly put in his place and never tried anything like that again. "Is that better little one?" A voice asked breaking the she-wolf from her memory.

She did feel better, not as anxious about the male leaning against the wall. She was still wary of him though, waiting for him to change into the vicious male she knew lingered under the surface.

Healer Dena cut the bandages into strips and opened the jar filled with the earthy scent. She took some out and put them in a mortar and used the pestle to mash the herbs into a paste, then she softly approached the she-wolf with the mixture.

"I'm just going to cut away from your bandages and replace them, then you can go outside for a while if you wish." She said smiling as the she-wolf perked up instantly at the thought of going outside.

The she-wolf struggled to hold in the urge to flinch away from the healer as the scissors snipped away the thick bandaging. She whined softly as they were pulled away and the full extent of her wounds were visible to her.

The jagged slashes on her shoulder and sides were stitched together with horsehair and packed with an herbal poultice to help with the infection and pain. Her back right leg was swollen and painful. The healer worked quickly cleaning and redressing her wounds all while talking soothingly to the she-wolf. She spoke in an old language that she didn't understand, oddly enough the odd words soothed the she-wolf's uneasiness.

Soon the Healer was finished and she threw the old, dirty bandages away. "I have to leave now young one, I have to get back to my office before the young teenagers come back from training so I may treat their wounds." She said softly. "Alpha will watch over you while I am gone."

The she-wolf whined softly and tried to stand only for the healer to gently push her back down. "Rest young wolf, you need to heal. Do not fear the alpha will be here for you. An Alpha protects the weak." She said as she stood to leave. "Do not let her move too much, make sure she eats and drinks plenty. Also, make sure to get the heart meat, it will help her gain weight. Poor dear is skin and bones." She added giving the Alpha a look.

"I will do my best Healer Dena, the she-wolf is in good hands here." He said bowing his head at the elderly wolf. Bowing his head to the Healer showed his respect for her skills and showing his promise to keep the she-wolf safe. "Good, if I find one fur out of place on her head I will get your mother, don't think I want a young man." She threatened to smile as he cringed under the threat of his mother.

He nodded stiffly and held open the door for the healer to leave, then walked over and sat in the corner across from the she-wolf.

She growled softly and tried to stand again, determined not to be left alone with the large male. "Easy female. Rest for now." The Alpha said. She growled again trying to voice her thoughts, she wanted outside. She was promised outside and now she wants them to make good on their promise.

She threw her head towards the window trying to get him to understand what she wanted. Only for him to close his eyes and get comfortable. She whined loudly and tried again to heave herself up to her feet. She didn't want to wait any longer, she spent years outside in the wilderness as one with her instincts and they didn't like being stuck inside with a threat while they were weak.

She groaned loudly as she finally pulled herself up and stood on all four...three legs.

She panted lightly and glanced at the Alpha again. He was still leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. "I suggest you rest for now female, we can go outside after you rest. Your body is too tired right now." He said suddenly.

She ignored his works and limped over to the door and sat down in front of it. She barked at the door and then looked at the Alpha who was still ignoring her.

She huffed and tried scratching the door instead, hoping that maybe someone would open it out of curiosity.

The Alpha still ignored her and even had the audacity to start snoring. She huffed again and started whining loudly, trying to mimic the sound of a distressed pup she heard last spring.

The Alpha's eyes shot open as he heard the noise, immediately his instincts rushed to the surface trying to find where the pup was. Instead, he saw a large, mummified looking wolf whining at the bedroom door like a pup.

He smiled at her tricks and finally decided to give in and let her out, he could take her around towards the market, the snow shouldn't be as deep there plus his pack has been curious about the half-dead wolf they brought back.

He stood up and walked softly over to the female and unlocked the door. She stared at him with a guarded expression, still cautious of the male before her. He has no doubt it would take a lot for her to be fully trusting of him and his pack, possibly never with what she endured but he would try his damnedest to make sure she felt safe here.

AN

Shorter chapter I'm sorry, I'm just trying to update this as much as I can. Hopefully have a second update done later today. These next few chapters are going to be filler chapters focusing on the She-wolf's recovery and beginning to trust again.

Anyway make sure to share and vote!