Dichotomy

AROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH

The snow from the previous snowstorm had begun to melt into slush and new growth was starting to peek out from the earth. Charlotte hummed to herself, eyes intently searching the ground. She didn't have school today, so she decided to go foraging, curious as to what sorts of plants had been hiding under the icy blanket.

Also, she had nothing else to do. Staying in the basement was rather unappealing and despite Amelia's best efforts, Charlotte had managed to evade any plans with her new friend. It wasn't that Charlotte didn't want to hangout with her, but she had neither permission nor money.

Perhaps once Charlotte got to know Amelia and Madi more she would explain the situation. It was sometimes hard for others to understand. Most people hadn't experienced a life like hers. They had the benefit of friends and family who stuck with them through the years. People looked out for them and they had a shoulder to lean on.

Being an orphan was incredibly lonely, more so than most realized. Whether it was people or possessions, Charlotte had very little.

Conceivably that's why Charlotte was so in touch with the world around her. She spent much of her time alone, outside. Nature was steady, and rhythmic. It played by its own rules, but the rule book was clear. Life, death, birth repeat.

Nature was where she found consistency in her life. Her connection to it felt easy, and natural.

Even without formal training as a witch, Charlotte was very in-tune with the magic of mother nature. She had discovered at a young age that she had very good instincts when it came to plants. Moreover, it was an ability she didn't have to hide for fear of raising suspicions.

Charlotte could easily identify which plants were edible, which were poisonous, and which had medicinal properties. Sometimes it was just a vague inclination. For instance, often times she didn't know how the medicinal plants were supposed to be used, she only knew that they were medicinal.

Charlotte had already discovered a few hawthorne plants, just breaking through the frost. The bright red berries were easy to spot in contrast to the white snow.

Edible plants were always a welcome find, particularly when the food at home was scarce. Charlotte carefully plucked the berries away from the plant. She tossed a few of the sweet and tangy berries in her mouth, then stuffed more in her pockets before continuing.

Snow crunched under Charlotte's feet as she crossed over the small remaining patches.

On the far side of a clearing, she noticed several small green vines stubbornly winding out of the ground. The vines were adorned with light, fuzzy leaves.

Charlotte wasn't sure what the viney green plant was but she was pretty sure it was edible, so she broke off a piece and popped it into her mouth.

It tasted earthy and almost oniony.

Maybe good in soup? She would keep it in mind.

Charlotte trailed around the edge of the clearing until it became a bit rocky. Some plants and fungi liked to hide in darker places such as on or under rocks.

Charlotte carefully climbed over a few of the boulders, to see if there was anything of interest. There was a bit of green tree moss, but that was found everywhere in the forest.

She did notice something odd though.

A plant that had grown a bit sideways was peeking out from the crevasse of a large boulder. The plant had purple thorns and bright green buds. Its numerous thin roots were wrapped around a smaller much more porous stone.

Charlotte gently stroked one of the plant's green leaves.

The plant felt odd, almost responsive, but not quite. All living things had their own energy, but this plant seemed to have more. Something extra.

It felt neither beneficial nor harmful.

Charlotte wasn't quite sure what to make of the little plant but it was intriguing. She gave it one last curious glance before turning away.

With her search at its end, Charlotte decided to head back to the house.

But as Charlotte turned to face the clearing, she was startled to see that she was not alone.

Standing in the middle of the tiny clearing was the black wolf.

The wolf's abrupt appearance surprised her, although perhaps it shouldn't have.

Charlotte shivered as a sense of deja vu washed over her, conjuring up images of her dream from the night before.

The wolf's broad stance was domineering. He stood in the clearing as if he owned it and all the land around.

Charlotte gulped. Could she not go anywhere without running into this beast? She groaned.

It almost felt like the wolf was intentionally seeking her out.

Well, she wasn't going to allow him to intimidate her, Charlotte decided.

The wolf's silver eyes bore down on her as she squared her shoulders and met his gaze. His gaze was not nearly as soft as her dream wolf's were.

No, his eyes were sharp like steel daggers.

Gio tried to hide his amusement as his mate attempted to stare him down, her face scrunched in annoyance. The little brunette was cute and not at all threatening.

He was surprised it had taken her so long to notice him, he had been watching her for a while now.

Charlotte was so intent on her foraging that she hadn't noticed. Not that Gio minded, watching her gather different plants and berries was adorable.

At first, he had been worried that she would eat something poisonous, but the more he watched the more it seemed like she knew what she was doing.

After a few minutes of posturing, Charlotte realized that the wolf was not going to move. He was not at all intimidated or deterred by her glaring and he seemed far too interested in her to suddenly lose interest and break away.

Charlotte sighed; she would have to edge her way around the clearing to get around him without coming too close.

Sure, the wolf had yet to kill her, but Charlotte was cautious. She was a survivor. She was no little red riding hood, prancing in only to be eaten by the big bad wolf.

Gio studied his mate intently as she slowly tiptoed around him, apparently attempting not to provoke him. If only she had used that method with the bear, he thought.

The wind shifted, pushing her scent closer to him. Goddess, his mate smelled so good, like sunshine and basil. It was divine.

Charlotte's efforts to avoid the wolf ended up being pointless because as soon as she left the clearing, the wolf began to follow her. His large paws were eerily quiet, but she could see him in her periphery.

She stared at the black wolf warily. Why was he always following her? She wondered. Surely there were a million other wolf things he could be doing... like hunting or something.

Then again maybe he was hunting...

Unfortunately for Charlotte, she had been so focused on trying to understand the motives of the mysterious wolf that she had lost her sense of direction.

It took her a little bit to recognize she was going the wrong way, but the rocky ground and thinning vegetation eventually made her realize that she had stepped into unfamiliar territory.

The forest here appeared to have been burned by a forest fire. Although it didn't look recent, the trees were stained with black soot and the only greenery was near the bottoms of the trees.

Charlotte halted abruptly, looking around in confusion.

She swung aroung, looking for something familiar, a landmark but she didn't see one, all she could see were thin trees, rocks, and more rocks. Oh, and a giant wolf that was following her around like the world's scariest puppy.

Charlotte groaned, realizing she was lost. She ran her hands over her face, pulling it down in frustration.

The wolf studied her in bemusement.

Charlotte realized her behavior must seem odd to him. He probably never got lost, she thought, grumbling.

It was true, Gio never got lost. Not in this forest. He knew every inch, every stone, and every crevice.

He had known Charlotte was going in the wrong direction long before she realized it. In fact, she had been going the wrong way since they left the clearing.

Charlotte's stomach growled embarrassingly loud as she considered her situation, a not so subtle reminder that she was tired, hungry, and probably going to die out here all alone.

Well, not alone. The wolf was still there for some reason.

At least when she died, he would have something to nourish himself with. She would no longer need the flesh on her bones. She was nothing if not a giver, Charlotte mused darkly.

Gio looked at his mate with concern. She was clearly hungry, but she hadn't brought any food with her unless you count the berries which he did not because that wasn't real sustenance, it wasn't meat.

His mate wasn't fit for survival Gio realized. He would have to take care of her, hunt for her.

Charlotte's stomach rumbled again, and the wolf suddenly darted off.

Great. Now she would die alone, Charlotte grumbled.

Charlotte had just decided she would have to try to retrace her steps when suddenly the wolf reappeared in front of her with bright eyes and his held his head high.

Hunting for his mate made Gio's wolf brain very happy. It felt natural to him.

Charlotte couldn't quite see what the wolf had in his mouth. Whatever it was, it was fluffy and brown, standing out slightly from his black fur.

Gio's mate was staring at him oddly, so he tossed his catch at her feet. He thought she would be excited, but she just seemed confused.

Charlotte watched as the thing landed in front of her with a plop.

It was a squirrel, she realized.

A dead squirrel.

Charlotte screeched, jumping backward. She had not been prepared to have a dead squirrel thrown at her.

Gio frowned, not understanding his mate's aversion. He looked at the thin brunette expectantly, nudging the dead squirrel closer to her.

Was the wolf trying to feed her? Charlotte wondered.

"This is very nice, but I only eat cooked meat." She said. Why was she even trying to explain this, it's not like he could understand her, she thought shaking her head.

The wolf huffed at her.

He was a little disappointed that his mate hadn't accepted the meat he offered.

In hindsight, Gio realized that offering her uncooked game may not have been the best move. It had been a while since he had been around humans but he figured she could cook the squirrel if she wanted.

It wasn't as if he could chase down a cheeseburger for her out there.

"Look, I'm just trying to find my way out of this forest," Charlotte said. "Can you help me?"

Silver eyes stared intently into Charlotte's own, and the wolf nodded slowly before turning and heading off in a different direction.

Charlotte stood gaping for a moment before sidestepping the squirrel and rushing to follow the wolf.

What. The. Hell.

Charlotte looked at the wolf in wonder.

This was insane. Or maybe she was insane? She wondered.

Clearly, the wolf understood her, but how? Maybe her powers were growing and she now had the ability to communicate with animals. She would have to test that theory out.

"So...What's being a wolf like?" She asked after a few moments of silence.

Gio's ear twitched in amusement but he kept on walking without acknowledging that he understood. He didn't want to freak her out too much.

"Do you have a family? A pack? A mate?" The tiny brunette questioned.

Again no answer.

"Maybe not a pack, I've only ever seen you alone." Charlotte babbled.

It was true, Gio didn't allow his pack to come anywhere near her house. He had ordered them to stay away in fact.

"And if you had a mate, I bet she would be here too."

This was also true, wolves liked to travel with their mates, or at least one or two other wolves. They were pack animals after all.

"No, you probably haven't found a mate yet." The girl decided. "You look young though so maybe soon you'll find a mate and then you can have cute little pups."

Gio felt his eyes go dark at the mention of pups.

The wolf couldn't help but growl, as his mind turned to more lascivious thoughts. If only the girl knew how much he wanted to take her and fill her with his pups. No doubt she would look adorable with her little pregnant tummy.

Of course, she would have to put a little weight on herself first but then they would have many pups if he had his way.

Gio shook his head trying to dispel his wolf thoughts.

"I'm sure your pups would be cute little danger fluffs, dark and moody, just like their father." Charlotte giggled not noticing the change in his demeanor.

"You should bring them around if you ever have them. I'd love to see them." She suggested.