After my short nap, I wandered through the house and settled into the library to read some of Julian’s impressive collection of literature. Hours had passed and I found myself bored, the stories no longer holding my attention. I decided a nice walk on the grounds would be a refreshing change of scenery. I missed being around nature.

Finding my way back to the kitchen, I grabbed an apple for a snack before I stepped out into the beautiful courtyard. Tall sandstone pillars held up a stone terrace that was laced with floral ivy. Large black strips of canopy cover weaved between the beams, shading a plush white sectional that surrounded an iron fire pit. Just beyond the lounging area, the stone walkway lead to an extravagant natural-themed swimming pool that shimmered like a beacon as dawn approached. Elegant waterfalls trickled down tall, tiered stone platforms into a large wading area, wetting the exotic floral bushes and shrubbery that grew between the rock formations.

I wanted to make myself a cocktail and float around in the cool, welcoming, crystal-blue water, feel the lapping water caress my skin. But my mind was on another venturing mission. I wanted to discover what else was on the grounds.

I wandered aimlessly into the dense woods, the dim light of day that approached fading away as I waded deeper into the thick trunks of the pine trees around me. The cool, sweet, musky smell of pine and sap filled my senses. Songbirds whistled cheerfully for the new day in the branches, and crickets and toads battled each other in a harmony of croaks and chirps through the blanket of fallen pine needles and leaves on the ground.

As I ventured deeper, I stumbled across various animals. A buck and doe had frozen amidst their grazing to watch me as I gazed at their beauty. A family of squirrels battled each other for their spot in their nest inside a hole in the tree. I had even spotted a beaver waddling through the shrubbery with sticks and twigs hanging between its buck teeth. I was in awe of my surroundings, consumed by bliss as I lost myself in nature.

With tentative steps so as not to gouge my bare feet on sticks, rocks, and thorns, I ventured on as the sun steadily rose overhead, bright beams of sunlight casting a luminescent glow through the trembling green leaves of the trees and warming my chilled skin.

Panic slowly descended onto my mind. I probably shouldn’t have wandered off into the woods all alone. Not only could there be dangerous wild animals lurking in the branches or brush, but I didn’t know who else could be out there. Crazed maniacs could be hiding behind every tree trunk, and I wouldn’t have had the slightest clue. Julian would be furious if he knew I had ventured off alone; I knew it deep down. But he wasn’t here. And his friend had left hours ago — lord only knew what he might be up to — leaving me to fend for myself until Julian returned home.

My curiosity always got the better of me, leading me into the most unfortunate situations. But I couldn’t help myself. The need to know had always steered my mind. And as I glanced around the dense forest, paranoia gripped at my chest as I realized I had led myself astray yet again. I needed to head back, return to the mansion before I found myself dead in the middle of the woods from starvation. Or worse, mutilation.

The sun had already ascended high into the sky, and studying its position, I knew it was somewhere around noon. I had already been out here for hours, wandering aimlessly through the thick vegetation.

I needed to go back.

I took a step towards where I thought I had come from and stopped, glancing between several different sections of the woods. They all appeared identical. I had lost my sense of direction, my lack of attention to my surroundings finally weighing on me.

Why did I come out here?!

Going on faith, I headed towards what felt like a familiar direction. Whether I was on the exact path or not, I knew that heading forward would lead me back home. All I had to do was watch the sun and make sure it stayed on the same path as it drifted across the sky.

Easy.

Only it wasn’t that easy. Various obstacles blocked my path. Fallen trees, gullies, streams. All deterred me away from the direction I was originally heading.

The sun had drifted further across the blue sky as the hours passed, and I still hadn’t found the house. Thirst burned my parched throat and my stomach grumbled in hunger.

Irritation prickled through me. Why did I have to wander off alone? Why couldn’t I ever learn?

Finding a log splayed across the ground, I took the opportunity to rest my sore feet. I sat on its rough surface, the jagged bark biting at my bottom through the flimsy material of the lingerie. At that moment, I hated Julian for taking my proper clothes. Had I still had my pants, shoes, and a real top, I would have been in better shape and possibly had found my way back by now. But with bare feet and the sheer attire I was adorned in, I was forced to take a slower pace and ultimately ended up lost.

As I wallowed in self-pity of being ignorant enough to wander out here barely clothed and alone, a rustle drew my full attention, putting me on high alert.

With wide eyes and a trembling breath, I scanned my surroundings, looking for anything that could have made that noise.

A branch snapped loudly behind me and I jumped to my feet, my heart racing as my eyes flitted across the woods in alarm.

Fear gripped my throat as my sights landed on a dusty black fur patch lurking between the shrubberies just ahead of me.

What is that thing?!

My breaths hastened as glowing green eyes peered at me from under the dark, thick hedge it hid behind. I prayed I was hallucinating, dehydration playing tricks on my mind.

My hart hammered against my chest as large, white-clawed paws stepped out into the daylight, its massive legs stretching up to meet bared glistening teeth.

It was a wolf. A massive, angry wolf, bigger than any I had ever seen before.

In a panic, a shrill of terror ripped from my chest. The beast flinched and sank on its hind legs, its ears pinning back against his skull.

I ran.

My legs pumped faster than ever before as terror wracked my body. I knew I would die out here, but I’d hoped it would have been from starvation. The thought of my body being shredded by vicious fangs had me dripping in a clammy sweat.

As I bounded through the trees, debris slicing at the pads of my feet, I found my legs stumbling beneath me, struggling to keep up with the rest of my body. I flew through the air, skidding against the unforgiving earth as I tumbled to the ground. Without hesitation, I forced myself back onto my feet and sprinted forward again. I wouldn’t die that easily. Not after everything else I had endured.

I risked a glance over my shoulder to see if it was following me, only to find it bounding alongside me, just feet away. The beast looked almost jovial as it watched me, its large, fleshy tongue flapping around in the breeze as it easily kept pace with me.

It was pointless. I would never be able to outrun such a massive creature.

Disappointment stabbed my heart as I halted, giving up on my grand escape.

I was too tired, too depleted, to be dashing through the forest on the false hope of safety. My hands found my knees as I tried to catch my breath.

Movement from the corner of my eye drew my attention back to the massive creature.

It sat there, ashen-tipped tail wagging and its tongue still lolling out the side of his gaping muzzle, panting almost playfully as it watched me. It almost looked like an average, goofy dog waiting for me to throw a toy for it to fetch.

My brows furrowed in confusion and curiosity. Something about the beast seemed almost familiar. His bright green eyes, his lack of care for my disheveled nerves.

But it couldn’t be.

I studied the beast from afar. His thick white fur tainted with dusty black markings lining its face and back shook as he panted. It didn’t bare his teeth or hunch its back. Its ears were perked up in full attention towards me, waiting.

Waiting for what?

It stood and slowly strode towards me. I stood up, straight as a board as my steps backwards matched his as he descended on me. My chest heaved in panicked breaths as I found myself trapped against a the large trunk of a pine tree, my body pressing tightly against its bark as if it would give way and hide me with in its base.

The beast’s gaze met mine at eye-level with a familiar look, a seemingly cocky glint flashing in its eyes.

“I’m usually out hunting or looking over the grounds...” The memory suddenly surfaced of my earlier conversation.

“I haven’t had a chance to look into all the latest innovations. But I have seen TV. Max loves it. He sits in front of it for hours, his tongue hanging out, his tail wagging.”

It couldn’t be. Could it?

“M-Max?” I croaked. I felt ridiculous. I was talking to an animal, and from what I knew, they couldn’t respond, let alone understand us beyond the commands we conditioned them into learning.

His hot, slimy tongue dragged across my cheek in response, licking the entire side of my face. My body shuddered in disgust at the stale smell and sticky slime he left behind.

“Gross!” I groaned as I feverishly wiped at my face. My eyes fell on him in disbelief, gazing at him in awe that he could transform into such a massive creature.

My brows furrowed, anger finally replacing my shock, and I stomped my foot like a child throwing a tantrum.

“Why did you chase me?!” I yelled, causing his ears to pin back as he shook his head. His large green eyes narrowed into slits, boring into me like daggers as he gave me a brief growl.

It struck me after a moment what he was trying to relay to me.

His sensitive hearing.

I let out a deep sigh. “Sorry,” I mumbled under my breath, still irritated that he had startled me so badly. “But you scared me half to death. You deserve it.”

He let out a ragged huff. Was he laughing at me?

“I’m glad my fear is so entertaining to you,” I scoffed, and folded my arms across my chest. “Now can you help me get home now?”

He sat back on his hind legs and closed his mouth, blinking slowly as if to refuse my request.

I rolled my eyes, my irritation growing stronger at the stubborn mutt.

“Please?” I asked in a sickly sweet tone.

His jaw dropped as he let out a drawn-out, whimpering yawn, displaying his massive canines and thick, fleshy tongue like he had grown bored of my antics. Then he stood and brushed his side against me as he strode away, leading the way back to the house.

After hours of being lost in the woods, the thought of a hot meal, water, and the comfort of my bed sounded like heaven. But my mind still wandered back to Julian. He had been gone for a whole day at this point and had yet to return.

I wonder what he would think of my little excursion and how this massive wolf he called his friend had to come rescue me on his own land.