The Wolf Within

Take Me With You

** Dakota’s POV **

“It’s unlocked! Come on in.” I called, not wanting to leave the wolf’s side. Both Rangers came inside, Ranger Alexa immediately knelt down on the other side of the wolf and started to examine the gun shot. 

“Ma’am, I’m Ranger Castello, were you at all hurt in the incident?” The other Ranger asked, kneeling beside me after closing the door. Their eyes looked at me briefly but they seemed to have a hard time pulling their eyes away from the wolf. They had short platinum blonde hair, with a slight fauxhawk of messy spike. The glasses that rested on their nose were sleek, accentuating their air of intelligence. They had a strong build and very androgynous features, with a flat chest and strong jawline, which seemed to be flexing in frustration. 

“I’m fine, but the man outside… Oh god, I should’ve checked on him. He wasn’t moving so I assume… well I think he’s dead..”  I said weakly. I wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact that I left the man bleeding in the grass, choosing to tend to the wolf instead. He was trying to kill me, the wolf saved me. I thought to myself. He wasn’t moving whereas the wolf was badly injured and saveable. I tried to justify it, but still felt a bit guilty. 

Ranger Castello must have seen my inner turmoil because they placed a hand on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me. “You didn’t do anything wrong, I’ll go check on the man. Can you tell me where he was in relation to the porch? We didn’t see him when we drove up” They stated.

“He’s outside, to the right of the porch a few yards near the tree line. I can show you.” I said and began to get up when suddenly I felt an instinctive pull to stay. It was like my gut was telling me “Don’t go...please. Stay.” I then hesitated, and sat back down again. I looked at the wolf, her eyes on me, watching. She seemed to be pleading with me to stay. 

“It’s alright. I can find him.” Ranger Castello said and promptly got up and went to check on the man lying, presumably dead, in the prairie. 

Ranger Alexa looked up at me from the wolf and said, “It’s alright.” Tears ran down my face as she said that. Her hand reached across the wolf for mine, I gave it to her and she squeezed it gently. “It’s not your fault.” Her voice was gentle as she continued, “We’ve been having problems with poachers around here and it looks like you dealt with one of them. They are ruthless and dangerous. You are lucky nothing bad happened to you.”

“I know.” I said, glancing down at the now sleeping wolf. “This wolf saved my life.” My voice was filled with thanks and I looked back to Ranger Alexa, “Please don’t let anything bad happen to her.” 

“Sweetheart, like you said, this wolf saved your life. Don’t worry. We will take good care of her.” She said, and gave it a gentle pet on its back. “You’ll be fine Chief,” she whispered just as Ranger Castello walked back into the house.

“Al, it’ll be best if we get her back to the station.” They looked down at me, apparently they sensed my want to protest her leaving. “It’ll be alright, we have better equipment there. She’ll do better if we remove the pellets from the shot.” 

Ranger Alexa stood and grabbed the bloodied blanket from the counter, “May we borrow this to bring her back with us?” 

“Yeah, of course.” I answered, and as they lifted the wolf from the ground, she let out a whimper. My instincts perked back up at and suddenly I realized I would be all alone if they left. I was normally quite brave but I wasn’t stupid brave. I knew I was still vulnerable alone in my cabin and the threat of another nearby poacher was still very real. My gut may be extremely active right now, but it hasn't steered my wrong yet.  “Um,” I started, and Ranger Castello looked back at me as Ranger Alexa finished carrying the wolf out of the door and made her way to their truck. “I’m afraid to stay here alone, would it--” I stopped for a moment, and hoped my question would be clear. 

Ranger Castello smiled a little and let out a small sigh and said, “I think we have a few spare cots at the station, you are welcome to grab a change of clothes and you can ride in the front seat.” 

“Great.” I said, relief washing over me. “Oh, wait. Is it ok if I bring Silvy with me? I don’t really want to leave her alone here.” As I said it, Silvy jumped up into my arms, purring in agreement. 

“That should be fine, though I don’t think we have cat food at the station. Not many cats in the area.” They shrugged and continued, “Might be best to pack her some food. I’ll meet you in the truck in five minutes.” 

I went to the bedroom and with silvy in my hand I immediately grabbed an old backpack of mine. I normally used it for hiking so I already had Silvy’s stuff packed up in it, since she often accompanied me on hikes. I added in a change of clothes, a toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, some cat food and Silvy’s bowl and made my way to the truck. 

Ranger Alexa was sitting in the bed of it with the wolf laying at her feet. She reached out to me and I handed my bag to her, “No, sorry, I’ll take Silvy. They are allergic to cats.” She said, nodding in the direction of Ranger Castello and moving her hands farther out toward Silvy to emphasize her point. 

“Oh,” I replied, not really wanting to let my cat ride in the bed of a moving truck. Silvy purred and rubbed her head on my chin, apparently she was all for the idea. “Alright.” I said, smiling down at my sweet furball. “I can never say no to you.” I put the backpack back on my shoulder and held Silvy out to Ranger Alexa. 

Silvy practically jumped into her arms as the Ranger called out “Your highness! It’s so good to see you.” Frankly, I was a bit jealous at how much Silvy seemed to enjoy Ranger Alexa’s company. “Alright you two, have fun. And you,” I started, looking Silvy in the eyes. “Don’t you forget about me now.” 

As I turned to get into the cab of the truck, I heard Ranger Alexa say “Uhoh. Looks like mommy is jealous!” 

“Don’t mind her,” Ranger Castello said, “She’s in love with your cat. She hasn’t stopped talking about it since yesterday.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Ranger Alexa’s infatuation with Silvy was, well, pure gold. 

“Thank you for letting me come with you Ranger Castello,” I started. “I really didn’t want to be alone.” 

“Not a problem, and call me Frankie.” They said as they shifted the truck into reverse.

** Lia’s POV **

I was so thankful to feel the fresh air blowing through my fur as I laid in the bed of the truck. The cabin was so warm and that combined with the overwhelming scent of my blood, I thought for sure I would pass out. Dakota had been so sweet though, and knowing that she wasn’t scared of me even after all of that meant the world to me. Maybe this really would all work out.

Chief, are you OK with Dakota coming back to the pack grounds with us? Al began. 

Yes. I even asked her to. I replied, and kept my eyes closed as I tried harder to focus on the smell of the trees as we drove past them. The pain in my shoulder had lessened a bit, but it still burned like hell.

Wait, you two mind-linked? I didn’t think that was possible unless…. Al stopped.

Unless her wolf has woken up. Yeah, I don’t know if she actually heard me or just happened to respond the way I hoped she would . I thought for a moment, trying to figure out if her wolf awaking was even possible. It couldn’t have been during or after the events with that damn hunter. Dakota was still too new at all of this, if her wolf had woken up during that time she would have shifted in an instant; just to protect herself. It’s possible she heard me, but she never said anything back. I can’t be sure yet.

That’s so weird. Al replied. Well, do you want us to keep her at the station? There are plenty of cots, but that seems highly inappropriate for our Luna. 

I’m not sure. You could ask if she’d like to sleep in the pack house. I said. I opened my eyes, looked at Al and continued, Just say it’s a recreation house. I’ll tell everyone she doesn’t know we’re wolves yet. 

Al’s face grew a sly smile. 

Al, what are you thinking? I asked, as I prayed to the Goddess she wouldn’t do something stupid. 

I know where we are gonna have her sleep. She replied with a wink. 

Where? I asked, but Al quickly turned her attention to Silvy. Al, where are you going to take her? I asked again. Al just smiled wider and tickled Silvy between her ears. Silvy and I locked eyes in that moment, and I sensed some concern in her. 

Al, tell Silvy everything is going to be alright. I said, looking back to Al. Her face switched to one of concern and her voice went soft as she comforted the cat. 

I closed my eyes, and pulled on the numerous strings which connected me to the rest of my pack. Ok everyone, I’ve got some good news and bad news. Good news is; our Luna is coming to stay the night. The bad news is; she doesn’t know we are werewolves, or that she is a werewolf. So please, be on your best behavior and try not to be too blatant until we figure this out. 

Immediately I received a large feeling of excitement, followed quickly by severe anxiety. It will be alright everyone, we just have to help our Luna find her wolf. We can do this. 

I could feel the hope everyone in the pack was now fealt, and began to relax a little as Frankie pulled the truck up to the station.