 
DAVID SHATH SQUARE Chapter Thirteen
Wolves are inquisitive, territorial animals. We had invaded their territory and we required investigation. At least, that's what Thoreena said as we stood on the path to Lake George surrounded by eight wolves. The Alpha male continued to howl from his lookout point on a granite boulder about 10 feet above us.
"Whatever you do, don't run," Thoreena whispered.
Running wasn't an option for me. I stood mesmerized by the eyes of the Alpha wolf bitch, who remained just off the trail to our left and scrutinized me. Her amber eyes were not malevolent: they were bright and intelligent and she looked somewhat amused. I think her eyes had a peculiar resemblance to Thoreena's.
"Don't be intimidated ," Thoreena said. "Raise your head and walk confidently. And don't stare at them. It's considered a sign of aggression. Keep Shadow close by your side."
We marched forward, heads high and eyes forward. As we advanced, all I could think of was a couple of lines from the Charge of the Light Brigade: Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of hell...
Thoreena spoke in a low soothing voice, talking to the Alpha male who had stopped howling to stare down at us from his granite throne.
"We mean no trouble," Thoreena said. "We are just passing through your territory. We mean no harm."
As we inched forward, Thoreena continued her monologue. Her reassuring voice had a positive effect on the pack because they didn't attempt to follow us, content rather to watch and wait as we passed beyond their tight circle.
"Keep moving, Hardy," Thoreena said. "And don't let go of the dog."
I had almost forgotten Shadow in the tension of the moment. When I reached down to adjust my grip on the rough of his neck, he started to growl; a provocative, throaty sound ill-timed considering our circumstances.
Suddenly all the wolves began to growl, hackles raised and bodies taut, ivory fangs and pink tongues salivating in the torchlight. The Alpha female made a dash toward Shadow and sunk her canine teeth into his back leg. Before a second wolf could join the attack, Thoreena had turned and hurled her torch at the female wolf darting back to the safety of the forest. The torch hit the ground creating a shower of sparks like a cherry bomb.
"Get the dog out of here, Hardy," screamed Thoreena.
Easier said than done. Shadow was dragging me across the ground toward the Beta wolf preparing to launch an attack of his own. I dropped my torch in the struggle. They say people are capable of superhuman feats of strength in desperate situations. I once read about an earthquake victim her saved her baby by lifting a two hundred pound slab of rock from a rubble pile that imprisoned her child. Normally, I wouldn't have had the strength to lift Shadow off the ground -- but these weren't normal circumstances. Before I realized it, I had scooped him up in both arms and was running down the trail as fast as my overburdened legs would carry us.
The torches had started a small fire in the wild grasses at the edge of the bush; Thoreena was trying to stamp out the flames as Shadow and I hauled ass down the trail. I saw the Alpha wolf leave his rocky perch and descend quickly to the side of his mate. I don't know if he used body language or some kind of mental telepathy, but somehow he conveyed a message to the pack that it was time to leave; the wolves disappeared into the bush as quickly as they arrived.
I stopped a short way down the trail exhausted and listened as Thoreena fought a desperate battle to contain the fire. After a few minutes, she stopped cursing and stomping and all I could discern was wisps of smoke rising from scorched bush. She had beaten back the main fire and stood guard over the smoldering site in case a rogue spark ignited a new blaze. I walked back down the trail with Shadow to help Thoreena.
"Hardy," she said as I approached. "Is our life together always going to be this exhausting?"
"Has it been exhausting? I hadn't really noticed," I said, lying down on soft bit of moss and closing my eyes.
"Hardy, wake up," I heard her saying as I drifted away.
To Chapter Fourteen
Copyright © 1998 David Square/Log Cabin Chronicles/7.98 |
