Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
And in that moment, Stone realized somethin’.
He’d done his best for the folks that ruined his life, taking everything he loved away from him. Made him into a wolf he no longer recognized. Regardless, he still tried to help these humans as a way to protect other wolves in the forest. Something unheard of. He fought his need for revenge, in hopes that he could make this wilderness safe for new wolves to come. These pale humans had stripped everything away from him, but he gave them all that he had. They took without so much as a thank you, and now he knew why. No matter how wise, wonderful, or useful he was, no matter where he hid, or how he tried to stay out of their way, no matter who he was, or what he did, or where he’d come from, or where he’d been, he was still seen as a monster—the big, bad wolf. Something to be destroyed because he wasn’t understood. Used, but not appreciated. Something to be vilified, because it made for good stories.
Stone turned away, and walked back into the forest, the hunter still shooting at him with no luck. After that event, Stone had reached the end of his rope. He’d had it. Since the hunter couldn’t kill him, that must’ve been a sign that he could seek revenge without fail. He would go into that village and attack the hunter who’d killed his family, and kill his entire family, too. He wanted that hunter to feel the same pain he felt. This was deserved. Hadn’t they taken enough?
He planned it well in his mind, and was satisfied. Going back to his den, he slept a long, long while. Besides, he had a big day ahead, and he reckoned he’d need all of his strength. A good night’s sleep would do the trick. When he awoke in the morning, he heard something outside of his den. He figured it was a rabbit, which would make a nice breakfast to help sustain him for his deadly plans later in the day. But when he peered out to take a look at what was on the menu, he was shocked.
He saw another wolf. A beautiful, dark wolf, with sparkling amber eyes. ‘Another wolf in my territory? How can this be?’ he thought to himself. Where in the world had she come from? He’d never seen her before. He wasn’t still dreaming—she was right there, looking at him, for sure. Her name was Nina, and she explained that she’d come from a different forest because her home had burned down. She, too, was a lone survivor.
Nina strolled into his woodland, like a gift from up above. She sniffed around his den, noting his scent markings. They sniffed one another, and they howled, and began to play. And then, she began to groom him. Nudging him and licking his face. It was the first time in a long time that Stone was no longer lonely.
He felt worthy. He felt seen. He felt cared about, and most of all, loved. He was no longer sloth-like. He cared again… Stone and Nina became mates. They were deeply in love. They made a home together, and had lots of pups. He showed her the best places to find food in the forest, and raised his pups to be strong, smart, make good choices, and to enjoy life. He showed his mate protection and comfort. Nina showed him how to trust again—and see his own beauty. Nina took Stone to the river late one night. With the glow of the full moon, she made him look at his reflection in that river. She told him that he was beautiful, and to never close his eyes when faced with his own reflection, and never to turn away from himself again.
Don’t become indifferent and uncaring, don’t be sloth-like. Accept yourself, and live in your truth. She taught him how to move on from the past, respect the present, and embrace the future.
The hunter who tried to kill Stone? He told the townsfolk all about what had happened, and claimed that Stone was a devil wolf and needed to be hunted down by a posse. However, a prudent old settler woman in the village said, ‘No. We shall never try to get rid of the big gray wolf again. He’s chosen by God to live a long, happy life. Our bullets do not work on him because he is protected by our Lord. He’s never attacked one of us, and he certainly could have. Therefore, leave him be. He is the reason why our river flows better now. He is the reason why our crops have grown, too. He is the reason we have more plants, and berries by the river. He has taught the other wolves to leave our chickens and cattle alone. The wolf and the river belong together.’