Wolves

Chapter 7

The sound of birds chirping woke me. I wrapped my arms around myself, and I could feel the cubs' fur. I slowly sat up as I realized this wasn't a dream, that I was really in a cave with bears. I slowly got up so as not to wake up the bears to go outside to the waterfall. I stood under the cool water and let my thoughts slow and my mind clear. I took a deep breath as I walked out to sit on a rock. I wanted to see my girls, Taylor. Taylor would know what to do and how to get out of this situation. I can only imagine how unhappy he is with Jackie and David. I hope he doesn't fall back into his old habits; he can't. We have two beautiful girls now. I need to find a way to get home. I sat there, lost in thought; I could barely feel the little cub come onto my lap. He nuzzles its head against my shoulder as I raise mine to pat its head.

“I have to get home; my own kids need me.” I sigh, "But where do I even begin? How do I get out of her?” I ask.

It tilts its head as I rub its ears; we both turn our heads as we hear a low roar. It’s the mother bear. She was on her feet with the other cub next to her. She motioned her paw to say, "Come." We both got up to climb down from the rock. As we got to her, she got back on all fours, and I bowed my head to her. She turned around to walk, and I followed her with the cubs at my feet. I followed her deeper into the forest, wondering where we were going. I looked around to see nothing but trees, leaves, and sometimes flowers. I was in awe as I observed my surroundings; I almost missed the sound of water. I snapped out of my surroundings, looking ahead as we came upon a stream with more bears. I stood back to watch as they were all catching fish. I looked back towards the mother bear as she nodded her head and continued walking. I followed behind as I continued to watch. I followed them to a spot where the mother started to scan the water. I watch as she catches not one but three fish in one sweep. I look towards the cubs as they also have caught fish. I look back at the mother as she nods her head. I was never one to really enjoy fish, but if it is the only thing to eat, then I have to. I look around to see if there is something I can use to catch a fish. I didn't see anything, so I decided to grab a tree branch from the nearest tree. The mother stares at me. I say, "I will try."

She turned her head back to the stream. I leaned down in the shallow water as I watched the fish go by. I didn't know how I was going to do this, but I had to try. I stabbed the water and missed. I tried again and missed. I tried four times, each time missing. I sat down in defeat. I let out a deep breath as the cubs came and brought me fish, then they went back to the water. I chuckled; at least I tried. I picked the fish up and looked towards the mother bear as she nodded her head. I looked back to the river and saw all the bears catching more and more fish. As I admired them, the mother bear came back towards me and sat next to me. I patted her head as the cubs came running towards us. They were done and were ready to head back to the den. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to catch my own, but maybe another time.

We got back to the den. As they started to eat their fish, I started a fire and cooked mine. The two cubs watched me as I cooked the fish. When it was done, I gave them a slice first; they seemed to enjoy it. I hesitated at first. I have never been a big fish person, but I had to eat something. I took a deep breath as I took a bite; it wasn't as bad as I thought. I finished both my fish and gave some to the cubs. I hadn't realized how late it had become; the sun was not high but not low, afternoon. I decided to work on a spear; it would be easier to catch fish that way. I looked towards the sky and noticed it turning orange. It looked so beautiful. I started to think about my girl, Taylor. I know they're looking for me; I just hope they're taking care of themselves too. As I was lost in thought, I heard a rustle in the bushes. I thought it was one of the cubs, trying to mess with me. I chuckled a little as I turned my head to see both of the cubs standing there, staring at me with their mother. It's not one of them. I quickly stood up, spear in hand, ready for an attack. I stood in my position as a white and grey wolf came forward. It didn't look happy; it inched closer to me, and I took a step back. I tilted my head and watched as it paced around me, circling me. Then a howl; the wolf looks towards it. It stands there listening, then it takes off; before it fully leaves, it looks back towards me. We lock eyes; he scoffs, then takes off. I look and see it’s one of the cubs, as they just stare, the mother right next to them breathing heavily. We hear the howls of the wolves; I stand in the same spot for a second just to make sure it doesn't come back. A few moments went by; nothing. I put the spear down and went to the cubs and mother. I patted the mother and picked up one of the cubs.

“Let’s go back,” I said.

I put down the cub, picked up my spear, and headed back towards the den. The cool night air came in as the full moon took the sky. As we got closer to the den, a Russell was in the bushes with a low growl; I quickly held my spear out. I pushed the cubs behind me as the wolf came back out. It watched me as I watched it; it bowed its head down. I lowered my spear and gave a small bow of my head. He lifted his head, and we locked eyes; he nodded his head. It turned in circles and then looked at me and walked back to the bush. I watched it, and it turned to look at me with its ears up. It wasn’t me to follow; I looked towards the family of cubs and told them,

“Go back, I will be there soon.”

I turned to look back at the wolf. I nodded my head as it turned for me to follow. I started to follow, as I felt a wet nose behind me. I turned to see the mother bear and cubs following close behind. I looked at her and said,

“Go back; I will be okay and be back.”

The mother shook her head. I looked towards the wolf, who nodded its head. I took a deep breath and gave the mother a nod. I can't control them. They know this forest better than me. I looked towards the wolf as I nodded my head and began to follow its lead with the bears behind me. The bright moonlight guided our way as we followed the wolf. The walk was long, but not too long, as we came upon a den. A den full of wolves. I tightened my grip on my spear and looked back towards the bears; the mother nodded her head. We moved closer as some of the wolves had their guard up and growled at us. The main one guiding us snapped at them, and they all stood down. He turned to me with a nod as I loosed my grip on my spear. He must be the pack leader; we follow him into the den. When I stepped in, I heard a whine. Our guide sat next to the whining wolf. I say,

“I need to make a fire so I can see.” I turned towards the cubs and said, “Let’s go get some sticks.” I turned back towards the wolf and said, “I'll be right back.”

I walked with the bears to find sticks; a couple of wolves followed to keep watch. We each had a handful and made our way back to the den. We piled the wood together and started a fire. I started it somewhat close to the wolf; once the first was lit, I looked over to see the leader standing over an injured female. His mate, perhaps; I got closer to her to see that her leg and thigh were bleeding. It looks like she was attacked by something. I touched it slightly; she winced and whined. One of the wolves growls at me; her mate growls back, and it stands down. I take a closer look but can't find the source of the wound; there is so much blood that I can't see.

“I need water,” I say. “I need to clean off the area to get a better look.”

I look around and see if there is anything to put water in. I decided to go get some more sticks. I gathered the strongest ones. I looked at the dress, grabbed another part of the train, and ripped it. I tied it around the sticks tightly to make a basket.

I hope Jinx can forgive me. The basket wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. I just hope it can hold water. I looked towards the wolves who were all staring at me strangely.

“Can you please direct me towards a stream so I can get water?” I ask.

The leader nods his head as he looks towards another. He nods as he starts to leave; I follow behind. The stream wasn't too far; I just hoped this bucket could keep the water in. To my surprise, it holds well. I breathed a sigh of relief as we moved back to the den. Once back, I quickly cleaned off her wound. Thankfully, the wounds weren't big or deep. I tore off more pieces from the dress to clean the area and wrap up her wound.

“It’s a small wound, so it shouldn't take too long to heal,” I said to the leader. He nodded his head as he came to lay on my lap. I petted his head as a comfort. “She will get better and be back to running with you.”

He gives my hand a lick as he nuzzles up to me. I smiled as his mate looked at him, tail wagging.

"Go be with her," I say.

He gets up to lay next to her. I looked back towards the bears who were already lying down, sleeping. I smiled. I didn't want to wake them. I put the fire out with the rest of the water and went to lay with the mother and her cubs.