The Wolf's Unlikely Mate

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As I kneeled to catch my breath, I looked out over the hillside and across the vast valley below me. Gentle

o a solo hike on Saffron Mountain. A notoriously secluded trail wound itself around Saffron, weaving in and out of a remote spruce-filled forest. The trail was narrow and covered in cones and n

toxicating, and the quiet of the forest was incredibly soothing. It had taken me an hour to hike up the mountain, so I took my time hiking

mentarily to catch my breath and listen for nearby wildlife sounds. It was tranquil save for a few sparrows and chickadees in the white spruce tr

scanned both sides of the trail and forest and searched for any signs of wildlife or humans. The forest was extremely dense, but the trees were thin, so the probability of an animal or

urn it to my backpack. I sighed as I zipped my backpack shut but became increasingly alert; I felt co

mly put my backpack over my shoulders and turned around to face them. I had been trained for this. I needed to stand straight, appear as large as I could, and walk away from them s

ack if I didn't run. But as they edged closer, I began to walk backward with more speed. However, this was dangerous, as I couldn't possibly watch where I was going and watch the wolves simultaneously. I was a short human

ed they would pick up their speed and try to surround me. As I tried not to make eye contact, I attempted to avoid staring into their glaring mouths. I knew how powerful those fangs were

out calling 911 anyway. I looked up at the closing-in wolves and made the decision. I would call for help. I dialed 911, b

mmunicating with each other because the two grey wolves took off in a light run, both running past me and then stopping behind me. At that po

en I t

using my hands, it was almost impossible. Sprawled out on the ground on my back, I felt utterly useless and ready to be preyed upon. The black wolf edged close

and how devastated she would be after losing her husband decades ago and now losing her only child. I had never married and had never fallen in love. Sure, I dated a few guys in high s

opped. The black wolf was still standing over me but looked across from me at

oticed it was much larger than the others. It howled, and the black wolf backed up off me and, after glancing quietl

n I had not seen from a wolf before. It was as if he was looking for something. I thought quickly about my next move. I leaned back on my

ed for it to attack as tears fell down my face. But the wolf didn't attack. I opened my eyes and realized the wolf was gone. And in