Little Wolf

Escape

The dim moonlight eerily illuminated the dense forest as I fled, cradling the precious toddler in my arms. I pushed my tired legs to the limit, feeling my feet become battered and bruised as I raced over rocks, thorns, and brambles. I had no real plan, but my instincts told me to head north. The small wolf pups that had been with the child seemed to guide me, and I knew I mustn’t stop for long. My muscles spasm and burn like they were engulfed in flames. I wasn’t even sure how long ago we had lost the light. It was late evening, and I pushed myself further. We had taken short rests to drink water at the small streams we’d passed.

Vivid memories of the horrendous events that had just occurred haunted me as I ran. I recalled the monster where I had been kept, viciously attacking me, and the sound of my brother being attached echoing in my mind. Tears of anguish streamed down my swollen, pain-filled eyes. My name is Maisie Drummond, a 20-year-old she-wolf with long, curly raven hair, and nearly violet-blue eyes. I was a tiny thing, barely 5 feet tall. My wolf, Sif, boasted shimmering white fur and matching midnight blue eyes. She was a formidable Alpha wolf, strong and swift.

Finally catching my breath, in a clearing, near a hollow tree trunk, beside a flowing river, I fell onto the cold damp ground. As I glanced down, the small child in my arms smiled, her face lit up with life and hope, giving me strength. Suddenly, a deep growl reached my ears and I looked up to see a towering black wolf with glowing icy blue eyes. Fear froze me in place as he snarled and flashed his sharp fangs, warning me that I was trespassing in his territory. I could see he was the Alpha of the area and knew I would not be able to fight him off, so I stood my ground and faced him. He stepped closer, his powerful muscles rippling underneath his shaggy, jet-black coat.

“Please, don’t hurt us,” I said in a barely audible whisper that sounded like a hoarse breath through my cracked lips and parched throat. My voice was raw and weak. My energy was drained. The large black wolf approached us slowly. I instinctively kept my tattered cloak over the child. I could feel the wolf pups growling low, hidden under the cloak. The Alpha Wolf inched closer. I pressed back against the tree. Twisting slightly to shield the toddle hidden in my arms.

I heard a snort and a grunt from the beast, he padded to a tree, slipping behind it. a moment later I saw a towering man with an intimidating presence illuminated by the moonlight. His stunning pale blue eyes captivated me, even in the dark they shone. Standing at six foot nine with jet-black hair in a military cut, his heavily muscled body looked impeccable wearing a pair of shorts… Elaborate tattoos adorned his arms from wrist to shoulder as well across his broad muscular torso. A sense of familiarity washed over me as I caught the scent of chocolate and honey. I thought I heard a softly whispered “Mate” but I just wasn’t sure. Sif whimpered softly in my head; she was just too weak to speak in my mind. My heart raced within my chest as our eyes locked, though I couldn’t explain why.

The Alpha’s gaze bore into mine. “Hey now Malen’kiy volk, steady now. You are safe. I give you my word.” He approached us slowly, holding his hands out to show he was not going to hurt us.

Kneeling before me, he introduced himself by saying, “My name is Nikolai Petrov. I’m the Alpha of the Golden River Pack” His voice was deep, his Russian accent thick. He slowly extended his hand to help me up. I instinctively raised my arm to protect myself from the blow. I missed the stricken look on his face, but he continued to hold his hand out to me. I lowered my arm, staring at the hand before hesitantly taking it gasping softly as it felt like he’d shocked me, the scent of honey and chocolate filling my nose, a hint of something else, a smell I couldn’t place. As I rose I trembled violently, causing my cloak to fall open, revealing a white-blond-haired child. The man’s eyes narrowed as he glanced down at the child and wolf pups with clenched jaws. Then his gaze lifted back to my face. In a near growl, he asked, “My Printsessa, why do you have her? Where did you find her?”

I could see the confusion and concern in his eyes as he spoke. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I replied in a trembling voice, “I-I found her abandoned in the forest. She was alone and frightened. I couldn’t just leave her there.”

The man’s expression softened slightly as he stepped closer, still keeping a cautious distance. “And the wolf pups?” he asked, his voice gentler now. “They… they’re hers,” I stammered, my gaze drifting down to the pups hidden beneath my cloak. “They were protecting her when I found them.”

The man’s eyes flickered with understanding, and he nodded slowly. “I see. You seemed to have traveled a very difficult path if your feet are any indication.”

The man’s eyes softened, a flicker of admiration shining in them. “You’ve already risked your life for her. I can see the strength within you.” His hand tightens gently on mine. “You have my gratitude for saving my daughter and her pups.” The precious child opened her eyes and leaped into his arms. “Papa, Papa!! Me home!! Me miss you, Papa!! Bad man drop me.”

He cradled her, and his eyes widened as his nostrils flared, catching my scent on the child. His jaw clenched. He gently pulled me into the moonlight, so it was illuminating my face, he finally noticed the injuries inflicted upon my face, though it was still too dark for him to see the rest of my form, causing fury to fill his features. “Malen’kiy volk, What the f**k happened to you?” he exclaimed angrily.

Confused, I tilted my head to the side and asked, “What does malen’kiy volk mean?” I knew I had slaughtered the words and, with my dazed mind of all the questions I could have asked at that moment, that was what came out.

“It means, Little Wolf,” he replied with a slightly amused smirk.

The child in his arms babbled on, “Papa, bad man hurt her. We keep her. Her mine now. ”

He shifted his gaze from the child, to scan my face. “What the f**k happened to you both??” I simply shook my head while keeping my gaze on the child; a soft growl escaped him, but he let it go.

“Come. I’ll take you to my home, ok Malen’kiy volk?” he looked at my feet which were torn and bloodied from the long trek. I whimpered softly as I took a step. I felt a hand grab my shoulder and turned to see his hand gripping it. I flinched from his hand, terror filling my eyes.

“Easy now, Malen’kiy volk. I’m going to carry you. You can’t walk. You are safe.” He placed the baby in my arms, then gently scooped me up. I struggled slightly, then felt his chest rumble with his words. His voice strained “Net, no, little wolf. You will make her fall” He cradled us in his arms as if our weight meant nothing to him. He was so gentle and careful not to hurt me. I held myself stiffly in his arms, My head against his chest, inhaling his chocolate and honey scent. He held me close. His strong and steady heartbeat soothed me.

Men and wolves started to materialize from the trees. I screamed “No”. Fear caused my heart rate to spike. “Hush now” He gazed at me, the struggle clear on his face while he fought his wolf for control, he was radiating rage. He took a slow deep breath before speaking again, “Come little wolf, you are safe, they are my warriors.” He looked down at the child in my arms, “Princess, have you eaten?”

“Net, papa. Nikakoy yedy. Golodnyy..” (No, Papa. No food. Hungry.) the child mumbled softly. “Yeye golodnyy papa. Khochu tort”(Her hungry Papa. Want cake.)

He smirked at her, “Of course you do. You are so much like another little girl I knew” his gaze rested on me when he said that. Then they looked down at the wolves. I saw his eyes glaze. I knew he was mind-linking them. A few moments later, he nodded his head, and two of the men split off from the group, disappearing into the shadows.

We started to walk to his pack in the north and my mind was racing. I knew his name, they called him “the Russian”. His pack lands were in Russia. How did I get to Russia? Where was I held? He is one of the most powerful Alphas on the continent. I looked at him through my lashes as we walked further.

Gavriil had been digging for dirt on this man for years for some reason. I had spent the same amount of time hiding it. I was able to sneak on computers when he slept. I was nearly obsessed with protecting this man and his family for some reason. He cursed under his breath when he got some updates, though I don’t know about what. This man was not only the strongest, but he was also known as the most brutal.

Rumors circulated on the continent that his family and pack were ruthless. There was no mercy, no forgiveness, no pity. They would kill a person for stepping on a twig or even just looking at the pack wrong. I couldn’t imagine he would be any different from me. But I had to have hope that this was the answer I had been praying for.

It was a chance at survival. We stopped in front of a massive castle; it looked like something out of a fairy tale. The Gothic castle and its snowy landscape serve as a reminder that beauty can be found even in the most desolate of places. The dark shades of grey and black give it a sense of grandeur and evoke a feeling of intrigue. It is as though the castle holds countless secrets within its walls, inviting us to explore its hidden passages and uncover its forgotten stories. Two stone sculptures stood in the foreground, only adding to the overall sense of majesty and grandeur. They were massive wolves with what looked like Norse runes on their chests. They seemed to serve as guardians of the castle, watching over its timeless beauty and adding an element of awe to the scene. Against the backdrop of the pale grey sky, the entire tableau comes alive, creating a breathtaking sight that is both captivating and haunting.

I felt the overwhelming feeling I was coming home.