Little Wolf

Chapter Fourteen

"We were outnumbered, your majesty. They are stronger and larger in numbers than we suspected. I will need all my hunters to win this fight." Jack reported what he had rehearsed in his head countless times on the way back home. He was not lying, they would not have won anyways, but now, he was not sure if he wanted to fight at all.

It was like a switch had been flipped in his mind. A thousand memories had returned to him, all of him and Fire-Flower. He had forgotten about her, until now. The pain of losing her, the pain of assuming she would hate him, it had been too much, so in attempt to protect him, he forgot about her. Everything little detail, he forgot. But now, he remembered. He remembered everything.

"This is, understandable Jack, I do hope you kill it soon though." Jack bowed, and quickly left the throne room, hoping to avoid everyone. He needed a bit of time to take in everything. To realize that his old best friend did not seem to hate him, but was on the enemy side.

He quickly closed the door to his old room, locking it as well. He ran a hand through his obsidian hair, letting out a sigh. He would have to meet up with her soon. Truly, this scared him. How had she changed? Did she know of hunters, and that they killed wolves like the ones she lived amongst? He swallowed thickly, feeling nervousness in the pit of his stomach. Yet, on the other hand, he wanted to see her. This was his best friend from twelve years ago, and he did miss her. Jack missed her so, so much.

Jack walked through the poor side of the kingdom towards the forest, feeling the nervousness in him grow. He had told Thatcher and the others that he was going to ask around about the wolves to see what they could learn. The cobblestone path soon gave way to the green grass of the forests. Swallowing, he looked up at the trees looming above him. Jack was nervous on how she would react to everything, would she be angry? Would she be hurt? Feel betrayed? Through all these worries, a small part of him could not help but to think, perhaps his nervousness went deeper than that.

Silently he made his way into the small clearing. Jack noticed that the stump he always sat on remained, but was rotted away with age. He took in a deep breath and looked around, his eyes scanning the trees for any movement. How long it had been since he had spoken these words. How wonderful it truly felt, to be back here. A small smile formed on his lips as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Little Wolf, Little Wolf, are you there?" He listened to the sounds surrounding him, the flow of the wind, the rustle of the leaves, and faint rush of the river. Moments of silence passed, and worry grew within him. What if she did not show up? Sadness flowed through him at that thought. The thought of her not coming to see him. Knocking him from his thoughts, was the sound of something hitting the ground. His head turned to see her. Her green and blue eyes looked unsure, watching him warily.

"J-ack?" She murmured, slowly standing on two legs. Her eyes looked so unsure, as if questioning if he really was standing before her. Jack nodded, a faint smile on his face. His eyes flickered over her, taking in all the changes. She had grown. Her crimson hair reached just below the middle of her back. Her nails were sharp claws and her teeth fangs. She wore fur pelts that only covered what was necessary, so most of her skin was exposed.

Jack had to admit, she was beautiful, in a special way. She was different from all the other girls he had ever met. She was fierce, determined to protect her pack. Most girls did not know how to fight, only a select few did.

Jack could feel his cheeks grow warm as his eyes trailed over her body. A part of him was quite glad for the fact that her hair was so long, as it covered more of her skin, as the fur pelts covered little. He forced his gaze away, wishing as that very moment he could just disappear. Her head was tilted slightly, likely unknowing of why he was acting the way he was.

Jack shook his head slightly, clearing himself of his thoughts. He was here for a reason. His eyes met her's, she still looked unsure.

"I have quite a bit to explain." Jack murmured, chuckling faintly. He looked behind himself and sat on the tree stump. She took a few steps forward and sat on the ground, looking up at him.

"Well, my father sent me to hunter training. I had no way to tell you, as I was to leave the next day. There was no time to say goodbye, tell you anything." She looked down, thinking.

"I th-ou-ght you left me." She whispered, looking back up at him with a sad look.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea I was leaving. It was so hard to leave you though." Her gaze was still wary. He smiled sadly at her and slowly scooted off the tree stump. Jack sat down next to her and hesitantly wrapped and arm around her.

"Why don't we just forget about that for now? Why not forget about everything for now? Forget that you are a wolf, or that I am a hunter. How about, for now, it's just Jack and Little Wolf?" Her head slowly lifted and a small smile appeared on her lips. She nodded slightly. Jack grinned. He would not have to lead another attack for at least two months, as the hunters needed time to heal and the other hunters needed time to travel to the kingdom.

Jack pulled her closer, his smile growing. For now, he would forget that she was a wolf, and he a hunter. For now, all that mattered, was that he had his best friend back.