The Wolf Under the Full Moon

Chapter 6: The White Wolf

RORY POV

Brian turned the key to the ATV, but the ATV didn't start. Panic filled his face as he tried over and over, but it didn't start.

“Damn it," Brian said with urgency. My mom still had the gun aimed at the black one. The wolves had now managed to creep up to the ATV. And the brown wolves were making their way around the other side of the ATV to have us surrounded.

This made no sense. Wolves did not aggressively corner humans like this, and with Brian swearing and frantically trying to get the engine to turn over, they should have run off into the forest a long time ago or not approached us at all. It was one thing for a sick solo wolf to attack someone out of fear. It was another thing to have a pack of wolves stalk and hunt humans like prey. And twice in two days. It contradicted everything I had ever learned about wolves.

“The ATV is not starting. What do we do?" Brian asked, panicking.

“SHHH!" my mother hissed. She was still aimed at the black wolf. Sitting in the trailer awkwardly, I made eye contact with the grey wolf who was now standing at the back of the trailer, licking his lips and eyeing me like prey. I regretted not bringing my bear spray, which I usually would have done, but had forgotten in a rush--what a mistake.

It was almost like the grey wolf knew I was easy prey because he howled loudly and jumped up, placing his two front paws on the edge of the trailer. He was sizing up the trailer and planning his next move. I had a minute, perhaps seconds before this wolf would jump into this trailer and rip me to shreds.

Thoughts quickly raced through my mind. I can't believe this was the second time I faced these wolves. The grey wolf was now standing on his hind legs, with his front two paws against the trailer, darting his eyes quickly around the back, looking for the perfect place to jump.

“Um, Mom," I said, looking over my shoulder. But I realized she had her own dilemma. The black wolf was now next to the ATV, glaring at her and Brian, deciding where to pounce next. The other grey wolf and the brown wolf were standing next to Brian on the other side, snarling and growling, drool glistening down their sharp fangs.

I tried to decide my next move. If the wolf jumped in, I would curl up in a ball and try to protect my vital organs. I could also attempt to ward him off, but I figured that wasn't a smart move, considering how aggressive they seemed.

The black wolf near my mom howled loudly, so loud I could hear it penetrating through the woods. The other wolves howled back, seemingly communicating to each other it was time for the attack.

I scooted back, so my back was up against the back of the trailer. My heart was racing, beating erratically in my chest. I worried for a brief second it would cease pumping, and I would die of a heart attack before the wolf would have a chance to devour me.

Another howl made me jump, and a prominent figure bounding towards the ATV caught my eye. The large white wolf from yesterday ran up the trail at full speed. He was either the backup for the wolves, or he had come to claim us as his meal. I pushed any thoughts of another rescue quickly out of my head. These were wild animals.

The black wolf howled and backed away from the ATV slowly as the white wolf reached the trailer with his almost shimmering white fur. He was significantly larger than the rest of the wolves, one of the biggest wolves I had ever seen. He WAS the biggest wolf I had ever seen, and I had no idea wolves of any type were capable of being that large. He had the same piercing grey eyes and was completely white except for his deep black nose, which I could see flaring in and out with his rapid breathing.

And there was that same feeling again. The same indescribable and uncontrollable urge I had felt with Oliver. But Oliver was a human. This was a wolf. Was it a feeling of gratitude? That didn't make sense. It could only be described as a yearning to be near them. I could make sense of feeling that way towards Oliver. He was gorgeous. I could picture him on TV, billboards, or in a boy band.

But the wolf made me feel protected. I felt safe, which was odd as well. But this wolf was a wild animal, capable of killing me rather quickly and mercilessly. I shrugged it off as mystical admiration for a beautiful animal that had saved my life. After all, I was an animal rescuer, and it was a unique feeling to be the one being rescued for once.

My thoughts were interrupted and I nearly jumped when he howled loudly, gutturally, with force. The other wolves backed away.

“Oh wow, that wolf is big," gasped Brian. Since my back was facing my mom and Brian, I could assume they were aware of the white wolf's presence now. The black wolf howled and turned, suddenly running back into the woods. I watched in quiet shock as the other wolves quietly followed, the grey one glancing back at the white wolf as it quietly whimpered and sulked back into the forest.

“Should I shoot it?" Brian asked quietly.

I whisked around. I couldn't believe Brian was even contemplating that. My eyes narrowed.“Why would you do that? It just saved us!"

“Don't you think we should take it back to the sanctuary? It's lost."

“We don't help lost wolves, Brian," my mom said impatiently, “I understand it's lost, but it will do more harm than good if we take it into captivity even for a second. If we had tracking devices, we could track it, but…" my mom was cut off as the white wolf howled and stared back at us.

“Can we discuss this later?" I snapped. “Let's get out of here before it decides to make us his dinner."

Brian turned the key, and the ATV fired up. I turned around with surprise to see Brian and my mom staring at each other in shock. I turned back around sharply to check on the wolf, and it was gone. How did it disappear THAT fast?

“When we get back to the sanctuary, you're getting this ATV checked out. We can't be out in the Alaskan wilderness stranded like this," my mom shouted over the rumbling engine, “and you," she said, turning back at me, “are bringing bear spray everywhere you go from now on and will order more tranquilizer guns when we get back home. I will not have something like that happen again."