Adolpha

Despite being 2:00 am the snow on the forest floor seemed to cast an otherworldly blue glow upon the evergreen world. The stillness was sacred here, a time of reverence for the occupants of the Pine Wood. The bears slept soundly, the badgers rested warm in their dens, the deer huddled together for warmth and the remaining winter birds respite in the hollows of the trees went uninterrupted.

The only remain wakeful resident was Honi, the resident male wolf who kept a watchful eye on the forest during hibernation time. His thick gray coat kept him plenty warm. In the past wolves had been plentiful in this area, but this was his third winter he’d spent alone. Many generations of his family had passed here, and often he’d considered leaving himself. But memories haunted him, keeping him tied to his ancestral home.

His mate, heavy with pups, had died the first winter when she’d feasted on carrion with the taint of poison meant for yellow eyed coyote. It was obvious she died painfully, her green eyes bulging and her muscles stiffened. 

He’d mourned her with his song, refusing to leave her side and dragging her off so the humans would not disfigure her further. 

The animals of the forest took pity and came to see his grief. It was to them Honi brought his wisdom of man, and his warnings. Every winter since he’d watched over his new home protectively.

His breath was silent now as he watched the human woman with great caution, upon the inhale his lungs were cleansed and cool and upon exhale a slightly frozen mist erupted between the lips.

Adolpha walked as quietly as she could, with every step she heard her heavy snow boots crunch through the top layer of ice on the snow. Clutching her thick pink parka closed as the zipper had broken, she shivered. It wasn’t the cold that made her tremble, however.

She’d been driving home only hours before from the emergency vet where she worked as a nurse. Her four-wheel drive SUV had gotten her into work.

 Being ‘necessary personal’ there was no snow day for her. Not many employees had the same commitment she did, but the animals needed her. She’d packed her lunch and put out an extra bowl of food and water for her cat, because most assuredly she’d have to work a double. 

“Mr. Wiggles, I know you will miss me.” She scratched the top of her cat’s gray head. He purred and rubbed his big broad skull against her palm. There was more truth then she’d like to admit to her statement. Single, in her mid thirties with a constantly demanding work schedule she had little time for friends or dating. Many nights she had just enough energy to stumble through the door, toss off her shoes, take a quick shower and collapse on the couch where Mr. Wiggles would meet her and take up occupancy on her lap.

“I bet he’s lonely.” Adolpha whispered miserably feeling very guilty. She’d called and asked a neighbor to look on him when the snow storm stalled over their area creating undrivable conditions. 

Her gloved hand whipped at her forehead where the blood had finally slowed down. 

Adolpha recalled the spinning as she hit an unexpected patch of ice. She’d fought to regain control as the SUV went off the edge of the road and rolled down the hill. The airbag went off burning her face and the seat belt crushed and bruised her ribs. 

The next thing she remembered was becoming aware that somehow, she’d wondered into the forest. She struggled looking for a road or sign of humanity. 

With every passing minute the sudden pain she’d experienced seemed to be dulling. Alone and confused she shouted again, “Help, is anyone out here?”

As the giant wolf appeared, he snarled, his amber eyes locked onto her.

“Oh Gods,” Adolpha whispered fearfully. “Please no, don’t hurt me.” 

Stepping backward seemed to agitate the animal further. His hackles rose as he cautiously stepped forward.

Tears rose in the woman's bright green eyes. Honi felt an unrecognizable pull at his heart strings. Those green bulging eyes. It had been this woman’s fault. If not her, her people. He snapped at the air as if chasing off the memories that had haunted him.

Adolpha panicked and lost her footing causing her to tumble backward into the snow.

Honi sprang forward using his might and anger to pin her. Her gloved hands crossed over her face defensively.

Another growl. Faint, distant. Honi’s head tilted up rigidly. Standing not three feet away was his beautiful red furred mate Loba. She was translucent and soft.  At her feet were four pups, all red except for one. The largest pup had thick gray fur not unlike his father.

Honi stepped backwards whimpering. Loba walked over to the fallen woman.

 Adolpha’s blond hair was matted with blood, her coat torn and her sobs rising. Loba sniffed at her hair.

The great protector of the woods had been reduced to a cowering child. Honi watched his mate. Suddenly he understood. Gathering courage, he circled the woman and sniffed her hair. There was no smell of blood. In fact, there was no human smell at all, and even when they tried their best he knew humans always stank.

Loba nuzzled the woman comforting her. 

Adolpha slowly calmed down enough to see through her fear. The second wolf was gently licking her face. Her body stopped shaking. Cautiously she reached her hand up to touch the red furred face and was surprised to be allowed to. The first wolf circled her, still low growling.

The pups happily trotted up to greet their father, his tail between his legs as they sniffed and pulled at him, playing as children do. 

Adolpha gathered her wits enough to begin to stand. Honi watched carefully. 

Adolpha scanned the snow thinking now she’d best backtrack. Yet the entire surface remained untouched. The ice layer unbroken. 

Adolpha’s breath caught in her throat. 

She looked at Honi. There was not a track around him. 

Loba leaned against Adolpha’s leg, memories of the accident filled her mind. She’d never left the car. She’d laid undiscovered deep in the wood well until summer, her body in decay. Hunters had found her SUV, and inside her body. 

Honi’s own memory came forward as the gray pup leaned up against him and whimpered. He’d dragged Loba, hiding her body under overgrowth. In his mourning he’d groomed her during which a sudden pain had passed through his chest and for a moment he fell to the ground unable to move. After a few moments he’d felt no more pain. In fact, in all the winters sense he felt no pain, no chill, no hunger.

Loba whined beckoning Honi to join her. Adolpha’s eyes widened as the larger wolf walked up to her and greeted the red wolf. He looked up at Adolpha with his Amber eyes and pressed his head against her leg, just as his son had done to him. 

His face softened. He saw this woman comforting animals, sick ones and injured ones, wild and domestic. One specific was a large gray-haired half-breed wolf she’d found dying alongside a roadway. She stroked his thick course fur and whispered things he may not understand, but he found comforting. He was dying, struck by a car…but she’d approached him fearlessly. He’d been fleeing hunters and became confused and run into traffic. She’d stayed with him until his spirit passed, cried tears and mourned him.  It was Honi's Father, a elder in their pack. His father initiated her as his own daughter at his moment of crossing.

Honi opened his eyes, as Adolpha’s hand dared to rest on top of his head. Everything he knew about humans was tested in this woman.

The snow was gone in a moment, the ground fresh with green. Adolpha looked around her taking in her surroundings. The Bear and the Badger, the deer and the birds looked on as Adolpha, Honi, Loba and her pups glowed with a white light. Their bodies disappearing gradually as the sun rose.