I was always raised to believe in what others didn't, the knock on the wood by the stairs in my apartment could've been anything. The wind blowing tree branches, the apartment being old, or just something crawling around. My mind always knew better, though, I always went to explore. Especially when the knocking kept on, for fifteen minutes. My parents always told me there was "more than meets the eye." Or "Always trust your gut, Merissa." I guess this is how I found myself stuck, face to face, with something I could only describe as a rougarou. The only thing that could make sense, while I stared up at this canine-like animal.
I wasn't afraid, I should've been, and I know it, but it was sort of a calming feeling when I looked into its deep amber eyes. The sand color fur on its neck was standing, I looked down at its paws and was surprised to see they were almost the size of my whole head. The sand color fur covered it completely until right between its eyes, where there was a white patch that went to the start of its nose. I was tempted to reach out to touch the canine and was met with a deep warning rumble that came out of its chest and felt like it came out of mine as well.
The hair on the back of my neck rose, and I just left my hand hanging limp by my side, maybe it could read my mind? Maybe this is supposed to be like meeting a normal dog? Let them smell you first. I never knew anything about this. I'm only in high school, and not to mention, I never thought I would run into a rougarou, who would've thought?!
The wolf padded closer to me, raising its head, I saw its nose flair out to scent the air. I looked around to gaze at our landscape; there were trees so high, I couldn't see the sky. The branches looked crisscrossed until they made a web of safety from the full moon that hung pregnant in the sky. There were songbird cries, but I couldn't see any. Much less any other random creature. The ground was soft beneath my bare feet, the grass was barely tickling my ankles, the wolf took another step forward, and I found myself looking back into those amber eyes.
I cleared my throat, trying to call up the courage I believed I had.
"H-Hello," the wolf stopped approaching me, and started staring at me again. If it took two more steps towards me, we would be touching. "I'm Merissa, or Mer for short."
I reached up and started twirling my own light brunette hair around my index finger and middle finger, "I'm not sure who you are, or why you were knocking on my house." I glanced around again, seeing nothing but the trees, "Or where we are, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to harm you.
I lifted my foot, wondering if I was supposed to close the distance between the two of us, and was met with another warning growl that made my heart pound. The shackles on the back of its neck hadn't lowered yet. Am I in danger? I bit my bottom lip and wished I could've brought something to protect myself, instead here I stood, in my sage colored 'aurora prep' tank top, and a pair of black shorts. I was getting ready for bed when I heard the knocking. I ran my hand through my hair and quickly pulled all of it to the left side of my head, twirling it more in y hand out of nerves. I knew I needed to cut my hair, but right now? I was extremely thankful that it went down to my belly button. I could hide behind it if need be, but what good would that do me?
I sighed and kept my eyes on the sand colored wolf in front of me; it had to weigh about three hundred and fifty pounds. It was huge, I knew the size of a standard wolf, and this wasn't a standard wild wolf who had magic. This was something more, much more. I found myself slowly sliding down to the ground to sit. The wolf watched me, curiosity in its eyes. When I finally hit the ground with a soft thud, the wolf sat down as well. She curled her tail around her and kept her amber eyes on me.
"So," I let the silence drag on for a moment, and the wolf cocked its head to the side, "Am I just to sit here? Playing the staring game?" Mentally, I was proud of myself for not sounding as scared as I felt, but I was sure it could hear my heart pounding against my chest. I could've sworn it lifted its lips to smile, but then again, it could've been happy I just made it easier to eat me.
No, my dear. I shall not eat you.
I quickly blinked at the wolf and felt the first thread of true panic course through my veins. I was taught to shield in my school, to keep strangers away from my mind, and here was a wolf, or something that could just walk right through them. I'd have to talk to the professor about this. The voice caught me off guard, it was a calming female voice, almost like a mother talking to a terrified child about the boogeyman being under her bed. The wolf raised its muzzle and scented the air again, I knew she could smell my fear. Silently cursing myself, I started mussing with my hair. Knowing I just marked myself as prey, again.
The wolf shook her head and looked at me straight on. She stood up to her full height, towering over me and brought her the few steps closer. Her huge paws silently working over the grass, if I wasn't watching her, I may not have known she was coming. It wasn't until her muzzle was inches away from my face that I felt myself start trembling. Points for trying…right?
Again, I shall not eat you.
Now that I was completely convinced the voice was coming from the wolf, I let out a small sigh.
"So, why am I here?" I pulled my knees up as much as I could without hitting her.
You are here because it is time. The wolf laid the bottom of her muzzle on the top of my head.
"Time?" I started wishing myself to be smaller, "Time for what?"
I felt her do the little smile thing again, baring her canines and moving her head off mine. Placing the tip of her nose against mine and leaning to put her forehead on mine.