Fighting Fate

It was impossible to run any faster but, somehow, she had to. The desperation in his voice was enough to push her limbs and lungs. She raced toward the river and let out a howl. Two brief replies announced their location. It couldn’t be much further, but they were still out of sight somewhere off to her left. The next howl split her heart, but her sharp ears focused on the direction and she gave a short yip.  “I’m coming!” *** The interruption to an otherwise dull workday had begun with a few words, shouted to the whole pack via mindlink; “Someone! ANYone! Please, we need help!” Only a select few in leadership had access to all pack members, but she knew his voice without hesitation. She spun around and immediately called out “Nat, where are you?” She couldn’t know how many other responses he received, the cacophony in his mind had to have been overwhelming. She paced in anticipation, her body itching to take off in whatever direction he would be. Before she could send another query, the Alpha’s voice boomed “SILENCE all of you! Stand by for instruction.” The seconds crawled by; her heart began to race and her stomach cramped with anxiety. Her breathing became rapid and shallow, an instinctual response to stress. In 23 years, she’d never heard that timbre in his voice, and it shook her. It could’ve only been a few heartbeats, but it felt like hours before the Alpha’s voice returned, clipped and authoritative, giving only the necessary information “There’s been a hunting accident, location is The Hayden Valley, East side of Yellowstone River. Ranger or medical pack members in the immediate vicinity notify me for further instruction. All other pack members, return to your business.” That will cut down on the noise, she thought. “Alpha, Ranger Fiona Malcolm here. I’m stationed at Canyon today.” Another agonizing pause; she knew she couldn’t be the only person reaching out to the Alpha, but the dread settling in her guts made each second feel like the difference between life and death. Her panting increased, every nerve on edge as she visualized Nat splayed on the grass gasping and broken. “Come on!” she shouted to the empty station. “Matthew, Isaac, Fiona; make your way to the area with all haste. Report when you reach the valley. Don't make a run for it, get vehicles as close as you can. We’re likely to need transport. I’m coming from the South Entrance” Vehicles? Transport? Oh Goddess…this sounded bad. Fiona grabbed her keys and ran to the truck. As much as she wanted to peel out of the lot, Park Rangers had to maintain safety standards, so she kept her foot in check as she pressed the gas pedal. The drive to Hayden Valley seemed longer than it ever had. Fear gripped her mind as her hands broke out in a cold sweat on the steering wheel. She reached her mind outward without even thinking “NAT?! What’s happening? Are you ok? Tell me you’re ok!” His response was gasping, “Fio! An elk! I need help!” “I’m driving as fast as I can from Canyon. Matt and Isaac are on their way too, we’re all coming as fast as we can Nat. Hang in there. Are you ok?” Silence. Too much silence. She knew what kind of damage an elk could do. “NAT!? ARE YOU OK??” She was losing her cool and she knew it. “I can’t right now Fio! Just get here damnit!” The desperate anger in his voice didn’t even register, she was just glad to hear him speak. Reminding herself of her first responder training, she began taking calming breaths. Checking in with her body, focusing on the points of contact she had with the truck. Hands on the wheel, pelvis and thighs pressed into the seat, right foot steady on the gas, left foot bouncing in anxiety. Another deep breath, bring the twitching foot to stillness. “Calm down Fiona.” She said out loud to herself between breaths. “Freaking out won’t get you there faster. Get it together.” Out of habit, her mind brought up an image of her mother saying, “Look for the helpers.” It was a quote poached from Mr. Rogers, and her mom repeated it often throughout her childhood. Now it was a reminder, a touchstone. She was a helper, a Park Ranger, and she had to be steady for her friend. Finally, she came to a pull-off and threw the truck in park beside two other Ranger vehicles. The discreet paw sticker on the lower left corner of the rear passenger window indicated Matt and Isaac had beaten her. The Hayden Valley covered 50 acres, but she couldn’t see anyone, her human eyes were woefully inadequate. “Alpha, it’s Fiona Malcolm, I’ve reached Hayden and see the others have made it as well.” “Thank you Fiona, Matthew and Isaac have located Beta. I need you to stand by and try to discourage tourists from stopping to wolf-watch. Do you have cones with you?” “Yessir, I do. I’ll block off this area.” But it wasn’t enough, she couldn’t just stand here waiting. “Sir, permission to assist at the site of incident?” A pause, she assumed he was getting a status report from the others. “Granted Fiona. I’d planned to leave you on lookout, but I’ll make an exception because I know Beta could use your support. Do not leave the vehicles until the parking area is cordoned off. I’ve got other Rangers who can patrol for tourists around the Valley” “Yessir, thank you. Is Beta injured, sir?” “Negative, it’s Samantha. Be advised, Fiona, you must shift discreetly, and once you have, you must remain lupine until you’ve reached cover. You know how many cameras are pointed at Hayden whenever a pack is about.” The relief flooding through her almost brought her to her knees. It wasn’t Nat. But an injury to his mate would be crushing. Her heart still pounded. “Yessir, will do.” Grabbing the stack of cones from the truck bed, she hastily set them at both ends of the lot. Thank Goddess there weren’t any sightseers to shoo off. Returning to her truck, she quickly opened the door and stripped down between the vehicles, shielding herself as much as possible with the door. With a final glance around, she crouched down and shifted. Stepping back to clear the door, she rose up on her hind legs and pressed on it with her front paws. It clicked shut and she tore off across the valley.