it was true. But Wolf had chatted with a pack before at night when I was completely helpless and nothing had ever come of it. I wondered if this was the same pack.
Something shuffled in the leaves. A wolf pup emerged in the firelight. By my guess, he couldn’t have been more than a few months old. I wondered at the pack letting him run with them. Shouldn’t he be at home under babysitter supervision? He sat on his haunches and stared at the two of us, panting happily. I felt the tension in Marianne’s body abruptly give way to confusion.
“What is that?”
Now I was the confused one. “That’s a wolf pup.”
“A wolf pup?”
Good heavens did she really not know? “A baby wolf. A young version of an adult. The way you’re a young person.”
The pup tilted his head back to let out an aggravated little yowl. He wanted to play.
“I didn’t know they were so small.” Marianne inched closer for a better look. “Do they all start like this?”
“Every one of them. We start as children, so do they.”
“He’s so cute.”
I smiled. Caroline McKenna, saving wolves, one eight-year-old at a time. I decided to push things a little further. I slowly extended my hand toward the pup, keeping my eyes on the alpha the entire time. If he or any other wolf made the slightest move of disapproval, I’d back off in a heartbeat. The alpha cut his eyes to me for a moment, and I hung there. Wolf glanced back, his eyes luminous in the firelight as always. The pup started licking my fingers. The alpha snorted and then turned back to Wolf. The two resumed whatever conversation they were having. I didn’t understand how that worked, seeing as the alpha didn’t actually speak. Though I could see Wolf’s mouth moving and him gesticulating, I couldn’t hear what he said.
I gave the pup a quick scratch behind the ears and then sat back, patting my leg. He understood the gesture and bounded over. They certainly were smart here. Marianne jumped in surprise but didn’t recoil. I ruffled the pup’s ears. He tried to bite at my fingers in play.
“Go ahead,” I said, “give him a pat. He won’t hurt you. He’s just as curious as you are.”
Slowly, Marianne reached out to touch the delighted pup. I took my hand away and his attention abruptly switched to her. He sat silently, softly panting, as if he understood her uncertainty. Then again, for all I knew he did. Marianne’s hand touched the top of his head. Her eyes widened.
“It’s so soft.”
I smiled again.
“Caroline.”
I looked up to see Wolf beckon me. I put a hand on Marianne’s shoulder.
“Stay here. Be gentle with him. I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, her gaze still fixed on the pup.
I went to Wolf’s side, wondering what it was he—or the alpha—wanted. For several long minutes nothing happened. Wolf remained silent and the alpha only stared. Finally I leaned over until I touched Wolf’s arm with mine.
“What am I doing?” I whispered.
“I’ve been telling packs about you when I’ve run into them,” Wolf said. “They told others, and this one wanted to see you for themselves.”
I stood there for a moment, stunned. “Am I really the only human that doesn’t hate wolves?”
“No.” Wolf gave me a small smile. “But none of them would jump on an execution pyre or howl in the night.”
So he had heard me the night the harpies caught me. I looked to the alpha. He stared at me, then tilted his head.
I didn’t know if it was this place, the wolf, or my extensive study of them at home, but suddenly we were having a wordless conversation.
Can you help us?
I quirked my mouth. I don’t know. I don’t think that’s why I’m here.
Could you help us?
I don’t know. I shifted. I’m sorry.
The alpha looked at Wolf, then at me again. You may touch me.
I blinked in surprise. I didn’t hesitate too long though; I didn’t want to insult him. I wasn’t sure what he expected to get out of this, but he must have some ulterior motive. I knelt and ran my hands over his head, gently rubbing his ears. Then it hit me. I was petting a wild wolf. A wild wolf in a magical place where they could communicate. I started grinning like an idiot.
You are truly not afraid of us.
I bent to put my forehead against his. No, I’m not. Then a thought hit me; alphas moved in pair. Where