She could hardly breathe. She didn't dare to move a muscle. She had no idea what to do in this situation. Should she scream for help? That would probably startle it, and it might attack her.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpilUzovnI
The wolf stared at her, startled. Then it growled. She slowly took a step backward, trying to retreat to her room.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4YC8yeK7S
"Just hand it over and no one has to get hurt," the wolf snarled.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ycUfpE7tY
The wolf is talking! There was a talking wolf in her house! This must all be some kind of awful nightmare. Her heart was pounding so hard her chest felt like it might explode. She wasn't equipped to fight a wolf especially one this large. She had to make a run for it. She ran down the hall to her room and the wolf sprinted after her. She entered the room and slammed the door behind her, hitting the wolf in the face.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcfjPWTEC0
The wolf violently clawed at the door. What was she going to do now? Her eyes drifted to the open window. Just as she climbed out the window closed it behind her, the wolf broke down the door and tore through her room, knocking a few shelves over.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocP9CdqAd1
She was in way over her head. She ran inside the shed, hoping she could find something that would help her. She was startled by the sound of glass shattering.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW18AqAdvk
The wolf was visible through the cracks in the hastily-built shed. He followed her scent to right outside the shed door. "Listen, I just wanna talk to you," he growled. "Let me in!"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8R331lts6
She held her breath. He had her backed into a corner. She felt through the darkness for anything that might help her. Her old softball bat leaned up against the wall. The wolf paced back and forth waiting for her to come out. His pale eyes glimmered through the cracks in the shed door. The sun was beginning to rise in the distance.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjHPLahrLW
No one besides her and Gran ever came this deep into the forest, and that meant no one was going to come to her aid. She had to strike! She tightly gripped the bat and swung open the door. "Go to hell!" When she stepped outside, the wolf had seemingly vanished into thin air. She examined the ground, looking for tracks, but there were none. She began to question if this really was a dream, but sure enough, her bedroom window was still broken. How was she going to explain this to Gran?
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv6Zc0IY4e
She trudged her way into the cabin defeated. When she arrived Gran was standing in the kitchen with her arms crossed. "What happened here?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nc7e6HcJL
"You're not going to believe this, but there was a wolf in the house, and it was talking!"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGQlSvx4xA
Gran laughed as she handed her a broom. "I thought you said there were no wolves." Rosalind was about to argue, but couldn't come up with the right words to say. Gran winked at her. "Let's focus on cleaning up this mess right now we can worry about talking wolves later."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2t0IeZ10c
Rosalind swept up broken shards of glass off of the floor. The beast had made a complete mess of her room. She spent the next several hours picking up the wolf's mess until her room finally started to look the way it had the day before. She noticed a scrap of paper lying on the floor, it was a note. She promptly picked it up and read it.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQLvRzrqbt
Dearest cub, it has been brought to my attention that you seek a cure for your condition. Honestly, I can't say I blame you. Most are too weak-minded to handle the power of the gift. I pray you'll reconsider joining our pack, we could use someone as intelligent as you, but if you must find cure visit, Rosalind Kenneally, in Rosewood she has what you're looking for, though you may have to pry it from her. Sincerely, Pack Mother Luna.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDcyaX9e9z
Someone sent a wolf after her saying she had some kind of cure? Who was Pack Mother Luna? Her mother's name was Luna, but that had to be a coincidence. Right? These questions plagued her for the rest of the day.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XgyeW14Uw
She threw on her favorite red hoodie and went to Mr. Fowler's house, hoping that practicing archery would help her clear her head. When she arrived the bow and arrows were sitting on a picnic table with a note attached.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBSujxiKmv
Dear Rosalind, I'm sorry that I can't be here today. I was invited on a last-minute hunting trip with some new friends of mine. Feel free to use whatever you'd like while I'm gone. You can ask Theo if you need anything. -Mr. Fowler.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa73nRDbZNA
She grabbed the bow and threw the quiver over her shoulder then, marched to the shooting range. She zeroed in on the center of the first target. Her mind wandered to the thought of her mom. Every time Rosalind tried to connect with her mother, she'd push her away or bury herself in her work or ask her why she couldn't be more like her brother. Her blood boiled as she pulled back her bowstring. She never wanted to see her again. She released her grip, sending the arrow flying into the target. The arrow landed in a ring a few inches away from the bullseye. It wasn't a terrible shot for someone out of practice.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LbEtvSmku
She continued to practice until she ran out of arrows, hitting a few bullseyes along the way. She gathered her arrows then lined up her next shot.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTtUshOpPx
"You're pretty good at this," She was startled by a voice coming from the tree behind her causing her to completely miss the target. She looked up to see Theo sitting on a nearby tree branch with an open book in his hands.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94OrRegvKH
"You scared me! I could have hit something!" She said gesturing towards the arrow that was now lost in the tall grass.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EiMxlhbP5
"My apologies." His voice was reduced to a timid whisper. He slammed his book shut and the cover became visible. Pride and Prejudice.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoakAPBg0y
"Don't worry about it." She felt a twinge of guilt in her chest. She always did have a hard time keeping her emotions in check. She attempted to change the subject. "Why are you sitting in a tree?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5B2tTMpP0
"I'm hiding from my mom."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUbo3IPDEY
"Why would you do that? She seems nice to me."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Fj5lz06uw
"Well, you don't know her as well as I do." He grimaced.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs3zyxCLjB
What was that supposed to mean? Is he being mistreated?
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8FruxKuKl
She must have been lost in her thoughts for a while because Theo snapped his fingers near her ear. "Hello, earth to Rosalind, are you still there?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBr3Lu5qao
She snapped out of her daze. "Oh sorry, I was distracted for a moment."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iUm5mIiQB
"What were you thinking about?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7had6rIo8
She frantically tried to think of a lie. Her eyes landed on the cover of his book. She pointed to the cover. "I didn't peg you as a Pride and Prejudice kind of a guy."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0RYkk9i5H
"I'm a sucker for the classics." An amused smirk spread across his lips. "Why didn't you think I was a "Pride and Prejudice kind of a guy?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NqlnJ2XeF
"You seemed pretty repulsed by the idea of romance yesterday."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyhUoBoMlz
"Are you referring to my mother's flirting?" He rolled his eyes. "She doesn't even love him, she's just using him, and he's too infatuated with her to know the difference." Theo kept a level tone, but she sensed the bitterness in his voice.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YU4gGs5aJ
She tossed the bow to him. "Do you want to try your shot?" She asked trying to cheer him up. He nervously glanced between her and the house, after a few moments he nodded and hopped down from the tree.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cQ2HO5sq5
"Have you ever used a bow before?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJCpLdAxwu
"No, but there's a first time for everything, I suppose."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr875F7PPV
"The first thing you need to do is spread your feet apart. The wider your stance is the sturdier you'll be." She placed her hands on top of his. "Now, grip the bow with your left hand and pull back with your right." His form was decent, but he was completely stiff. "You need to relax."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOvQcDMSQs
"I am perfectly relaxed," He argued.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEexNsb7pv
"Take a deep breath and close your eyes."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMEbyCjSBD
He did exactly as he was instructed. "I hope you're right about this."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdX7lCbE8k
She adjusted his aim from behind. "Now, let go."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeydCrazrSC
He hesitated for a brief moment then released his grip. The arrow landed in the third ring from the center, not a bad shot for his first time.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOuLVSNdL0
"How did I do?" Theo asked with his eyes still closed.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9NKNmUO2t
"See for yourself."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Ikn8s9lW
His eyes lit up with joy. "I hit it! I actually hit the target!" He made no attempt to hide his excitement.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ2NKBspCs
His arrow was far from the center, but he did, in fact, hit the target.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qdbrsx1G6
The duo spent the next hour on the shooting range. "I am in no rush to return to my mom, why don't we hang out a bit longer? I know of a trail in the forest with a perfect view. " Theo invited her after they finished cleaning.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsdQ8py38a
"I don't think that's a good idea." The thought of wandering through the forest by themselves sent chills down her spine. "I don't feel safe wandering through the woods with this killer wolf on the loose. Plus, I barely know you."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx8b4nB74i
"I respect your decision."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i8oHaNsv7
"Thanks."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6AK6pYesF
They sat in silence for nearly an eternity, but it wasn't an awkward silence it was a reassuring one.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ47hnJb9wY
She finally broke the silence. "This is gonna sound crazy, but the wolf was in my house last night, and it could talk."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4PP72Wj3D
Theo picked at his nails. "Did he have anything interesting to say?" He said in a tone that almost sounded sincere.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD27rRjUOyx
"I guess he wanted something from me," she said, uncertain.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qKj1BV5cz
"Why didn't you just give it what it wanted?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75OfvCHH3B
"Because, I don't know what it wants!" she cried out, frustrated.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRSL1PVTcv
Theo went quiet for a moment then he spoke. "You really have no idea what it was looking for?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP2YVIuCD9
She shook her head. Theo pulled something out of his pocket. "Pardon me, I need to make a phone call."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUhI5pCJ7X
Theo walked until he was out of earshot then dialed a number into his phone. Rosalind respected his privacy and didn't try to eavesdrop. She grabbed the bow and arrows and went into the house to put them away.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCpvqykqxd
When she arrived in the house Charlotte was standing in the kitchen. "Rosalind, what a pleasant surprise!" Her collection of bottles had grown significantly larger since the day before. "You haven't seen Theo have you?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0JuMHSTzz
"Nope, I haven't seen him," she lied.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpqY9ejboL
"He's probably hiding again," she sighed. "What brings you here?"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrdAF6wizW
She held up the bow. "I was wondering where I should put this."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7KbWVX64y
Charlotte laughed. "Oh, that old thing, you can put that in the basement."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIzdrlDd1v
She fiddled with the bow string. "Um, Mr. Fowler usually tells me to put these in the garage or the shed."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZg4ftNEap
Charlotte's lips formed a tight grimace. "He's Reorganizing."
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDmtMNx6N2
Rosalind didn't argue further.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNEZ6R7Eou
The basement stairs creaked as she stepped down. They felt like they would collapse under her weight. When she reached the bottom step the door slammed behind her. She dropped the bow then ran back up the stairs and frantically tried to open the door. It was locked!
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7fBdyzpEG
Rosalind started banging on the door. "This isn't funny! Let me out!" She could see Charlotte's slim figure through the keyhole. "I don't care how long it takes I'll keep you in here until you hand over the cure!"
ns 172.70.178.141da2
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.