A wolf's grace
916 Words
The midday sun cast a golden glow over the pack’s grounds, and I found myself drawn to the open expanse near the forest. Laughter filled the air, high-pitched and carefree, as a group of children ran in circles around each other. They played without a care in the world, their movements fluid and joyous.
I leaned against a wooden post, watching them with a faint smile. They were shifting seamlessly between their human and wolf forms, their transitions so smooth it almost seemed magical.
One moment, a dark-haired boy was running on two legs, his laughter ringing out as he evaded the others. The next, his small frame shimmered and stretched, his fur-covered wolf bounding across the grass with playful energy. A girl with braids shifted too, chasing after him, her paws barely skimming the ground.
The sight made my heart ache.
I could barely remember what it felt like to shift. It had been years since I’d connected with my wolf, years since I’d felt her strength and agility coursing through me. The constant mistreatment and abuse I’d endured had driven her away, leaving me hollow and disconnected.
I watched the children for a long time, longing bubbling up inside me like a cruel whisper.
A loud noise startled me, and I turned quickly. A group of men stood nearby, their presence commanding attention even from a distance. At the center of them was Kane.
He wasn’t speaking to me—one of his allies had called his name. Kane’s focus was on the forest edge, his silver eyes sharp and unyielding as he listened to the conversation around him.
One by one, the men began to shift. Their transitions were deliberate, their powerful wolves emerging as their clothing fell away.
When Kane began to change, I couldn’t look away.
His wolf was massive, far larger than the others. His jet-black fur shimmered in the sunlight, and his piercing silver eyes remained unchanged, gleaming with a predatory intensity. He was power and grace embodied, his movements fluid as he stepped forward on massive paws.
I felt a lump rise in my throat. He was beautiful in a way that made my chest tighten.
To my dismay, my thoughts strayed to what it would be like to touch him. How soft would his fur feel under my fingers? Would he allow anyone to get close enough to find out?
The thought embarrassed me, and I shook it away, forcing my gaze elsewhere.
As the group of wolves disappeared into the trees, I noticed a small boy sitting in the grass. He was crying quietly, his face streaked with tears. He hadn’t yet shifted—too young, I guessed—and the older children had left him behind in their play.
My heart clenched at the sight.
I approached him slowly, kneeling down so I wouldn’t scare him. “Are you okay?” I asked softly.
The boy sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. “I fell,” he said, his voice trembling. “I can’t find my mama.”
His words hit a nerve. For a moment, I was that child again, lost and scared with no one to comfort me.
“Come on,” I said gently, holding out my hand. “Let’s find her together.”
He hesitated, but then his small fingers wrapped around mine. I led him across the clearing, scanning the faces of the women nearby.
“Is that your mom?” I asked, pointing to a tall woman with auburn hair.
The boy’s face lit up, and he nodded eagerly.
I walked him over, watching as the woman’s eyes filled with relief. “There you are!” she exclaimed, scooping him into her arms.
“Thank you,” she said to me, her voice warm.
“It’s no trouble,” I replied, brushing my hands against my borrowed clothes.
“You’re Kane’s wife,” she said, tilting her head as if to confirm her assumption.
The word wife still sounded foreign to me, but I nodded.
Her smile widened. “I’m Lila. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
For the first time, I felt a flicker of warmth from one of the pack members. Most of them had been wary or indifferent, but Lila’s friendliness felt genuine.
“Do you know what Kane was doing?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Her expression softened. “Patrol. He’s been on edge, making sure your father doesn’t try to come and take you back.”
The words cut through me like a blade, even though I knew she didn’t mean them to hurt.
My father.
Cassandra’s father.
I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. “I see.”
Lila nodded, adjusting her son on her hip. “He’s protective of the pack—and of you, it seems. You’re lucky to have him.”
I didn’t reply. How could I explain that the man who was supposed to protect me barely tolerated my presence?
As Lila walked away, I stayed rooted in place, staring at the forest where Kane had disappeared.
No one was coming for me. I’d known that all along, but hearing it said aloud made it feel more real.
I wrapped my arms around myself, a hollow ache settling in my chest.
It didn’t matter what Kane was trying to protect. He didn’t know who I really was.
And if he ever found out, I wasn’t sure I’d survive it.
- Writer
