Moonlit Masquerade

Four

I jumped onto my bed and just lay there. It was about six in the evening and I absolutely had no will to study.

I'm not gonna lie. I was a teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy bit afraid of seeing Rigel today. I did catch him staring at me like....32 times tho..but who's counting, eh?

I didn't really want to see him today after his expression yesterday when he was talking to Eleana, but I was pretty sure I didn't want to know what it was all about.

You sure about that hon?

I scoffed, my conscience really is a pain in the ass.

I was just done changing when mom called me downstairs and a round of laughter ensued.

What's it gonna be today... I sighed, going down.

I heard her laughing with her "friends".

I smelled the pot before I could sense anything else. She's probably stoned by now.

She always drinks herself to death. She wouldn't even remember calling me.

I silently tugged my jacket tighter around me and slipped out of the house.

Well, more like a run-down cabin near the woods. It had been a home. But that was way before everything happened.

Now,  it was just an old, abandoned house. It was broken down with disrepair and weeds filled the garden where once the grass has been as soft as a blanket. Birds no longer sang in the trees, and even the insects had largely left the house. The completely cracked windows were held by tapes.

It just wasn't home anymore.

I walked into the woods. This place held peace and comfort. It gave me what my own home failed to, a sense of safety and for some unknown reason, a sense of belonging too.

And brought back forgotten memories....

..dad

I was getting settled under a large tree, when I heard dried leaves rustling behind me. I quickly jumped to my feet and tried to hide my body behind the huge trunk. I peeked out slightly.

A pair of vivid electric blue eyes peered out at me from the bushes.

By just looking at them I felt absolutely.....safe and the emotions in them were way too strong....

I couldn't look away.

I didn't want to look away.

Weird

I turned and just sat there, hoping whatever it was, it would just leave me alone. I was still freaked out by the strong emotions I felt.

I looked out, hoping it would be gone by now.

Just as I was about to turn around to check, I sensed warm breath against my neck.

I turned to those eyes.

It was a majestic alpha wolf with a sleek, silver-grey coat that shimmered under the moonlight, hinting at his regal lineage.
I could say it was an alpha because of his enormous size.

His eyes, a striking and rare shade of bright blue, were like gleaming sapphires, reflecting his intelligence and depth. His stature tall and proud, exuding strength and grace. With every step he took towards me, he moved with a quiet confidence, a silent leader in the wilderness.

I was amazed and rendered speechless. My fight or flight senses were a no-show. And what surprised me even more was that, I knew that he wouldn't hurt me.
He stopped a few feet from me.

I approached him slowly, every step filled with caution and slowly raised my hand to touch his face.

His expression turned into a wolfish grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
When my hand was near his snout, he suddenly leaned forward and licked my hand.

I yelped.

He was smiling! The audacity. I have no idea how a wolf can smile, but his eyes were totally laughing at me!

My nervous heart settled, its pace getting back to normal. I settled myself back by the tree and motioned him towards me.  He came and snuggled towards me. Overwhelmed by emotions, I couldn't help but start crying. A wave of memoried hit me and the tears just wouldn't stop.

The wolf nuzzled closer, as if to convey that I was no longer alone.
And that made me cry even more.

After a few mins, I stopped. I tried to settle myself by breathing in the cool air and staring at the stars.

I looked down at my new friend and decided to name him. Umm...

Ace

The name came to me out of nowhere.

I loved it.

I whispered to him, "I think I'm gonna call you Ace from now on."

His eyes grew wide and then filled with joy. He started to leap around and circled the tree. I started laughing.

"I take it you love your name?"

He howled.

And I took that as a yes.