Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

wolves, but they aren’t rabid or anything.”
    “Maybe you need to relax with those thoughts. Let them take you wherever.”
    “Maybe.” I released a deep breath. “I’m too tired to think about it clearly tonight. I feel like I’m about to crash from the adrenaline rush.”
    She reached out and squeezed my hand. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
    “Me, too.” I smiled at her. “Night.”
    I rolled back over and tried to go to sleep, but I was thinking about the wolf again. Why had he seemed so familiar? Had my real parents and I discovered a den of wolves? Maybe some cubs? Were my parents trying to protect them from the hunters? I wished I could remember more about that day. How long did wolves live? Why did I feel a connection with this one?
    Then I heard a lonesome howl, and I somehow knew, knew , it was him calling to me. I felt this stirring deep down in my chest. I wanted to sit up, throw my head back, and howl in return. I wanted to answer his call. My strange reaction to his howl was frightening. It was as though he was calling out to some primal part of me that I hadn’t even realized existed.
    Face your fears, Dr. Brandon had said.
    It was difficult to do when they constantly changed. Originally, they all centered around my past and what had happened with my parents. These fears brought forth the nightmares. But lately my fears had more to do with my future, with the unknown, with this strange stirring deep inside me. Sometimes I just felt as though I was going through changes that I couldn’t understand. And I didn’t know who to talk with about them, because I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was happening.
    But I did know one thing: I wasn’t afraid of that wolf. I slipped out of my bedroll and pulled on my boots. Lindsey didn’t stir. I grabbed my first aid kit and flashlight before creeping outside. Brittany and Rafe were standing on the far side of the camp talking, not really paying attention. And even if they did spot me, they were watching for any danger that might come into the camp. I certainly wasn’t a threat to anyone, and we weren’t forbidden from leaving.
    I hesitated a moment and thought about going to get Lucas, but I didn’t plan to walk far. I didn’t think I’d need to. I scurried around to the side of the tent and then strode out into the thicket, using the flashlight to guide me until I reached a spot far enough from camp that my talking voice wouldn’t be heard, but close enough that my scream would be. I switched off my flashlight and waited. It was silly to think, to hope, that the wolf would come.
    A crescent moon shone down on me. It was enough to see by. In the city, I had never realized how bright moonlight could be—or maybe it was just that my eyes were getting better at adjusting to the darkness—but my night vision was somehow keener.
    Suddenly I heard a gentle padding. It seemed my ears were more alert as well. I shifted my eyes to the side, and there he was.
    I dropped down to one knee, wishing I’d brought him something to eat. The moonlight gleamed along his multicolored fur as though drawn into it. “Hey, fella.”
    My voice caught with an edge of self-consciousness. I talked to Fargo, my Lhasa at home, all the time. But this was different. This was an animal of the wild, yet he didn’t seem threatening. I didn’t want to make any sudden moves, didn’t want to frighten him. “I wanted to thank you.”
    To my amazement, he eased a little closer, close enough that I could pet him. I hesitated, before slowly burying my hand into his thick pelt. On top the fur was stiff, but underneath it was soft and comforting. Working to keep my voice calm and even, I said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you got hurt. I want to see how bad it is.”
    I wasn’t exactly sure what I could do to help. Try to clean it, put a little antiseptic on it? I was afraid if I bandaged it, he would be more visible to predators. I knew wolves varied in color so they could hide in