- The Encounter with Alex -
🐾────── 🐺 ──────🐾
As Samuel walked back, the image of that hunter haunted him. "That man's evil was palpable. I don't regret eliminating him… I just wish I'd done it sooner." His thoughts were interrupted by a distant scream echoing from a nearby mountain. He stopped, alert, and his heart raced at the sound of the desperate cry. Without hesitation, he ran toward it.
When he arrived, he found a distressing scene: a mentor, desperate, was holding two cubs while a third dangled dangerously over the edge of a cliff. Samuel rushed forward with all his strength, his body propelled by a painful memory he tried to ignore. In one swift movement, he dove to the ground, grabbing the cub mid-air before the fall could claim him. Carefully, he pulled the little wolf back to safety.
He looked at the pup, who trembled with fear, his eyes shining with a mix of shock and relief. Samuel spoke gently, trying to calm him.
— You're safe now. Are you hurt?
Before the cub could respond, the mentor spoke, her voice choked:
— Thank you... Thank you so much! I thought he... I thought I... — She paused, taking a deep breath. — May I know your name, human?
— Samuel. It was nothing — he replied, glancing away from the cub for a moment. The little wolf still stared at him, curious.
— That's a beautiful name. I'm Anne, and this is Alex, but he doesn't speak very well yet — she said, looking fondly at the cub. — Thank you, Samuel. If it weren't for you...
Before they could say more, a large wolf appeared, his gaze suspicious and aggressive.
— A human? Are you alright, Anne? What did this human do to you? — asked the wolf, eyes blazing with anger.
Anne tried to calm him, but he advanced quickly toward Samuel, one paw raised.
— Get your hands off the cubs. You have no right to touch them! — the wolf growled. Samuel soon realized his name was Sam.
Samuel kept his composure and replied:
— If you've got a problem with me, we can solve it another way. I wasn't invited to touch anyone, and I won't be intimidated.
Furious, Sam shifted into his hybrid form. He grabbed Samuel's shirt and hurled him down the mountain. Samuel used his powers to soften the fall, landing in a field of flowers, already spotting Sam descending toward him.
— Still alive? Shame… but not for long — Sam sneered, circling Samuel with speed.
As Sam lunged, Samuel spun and raised his hands, forming an ethereal staff that struck Sam's head. The wolf rolled across the ground, unconscious for a few seconds. When he came to, he touched the wound on his head, his eyes wide.
— This can't be... Humans don't have abilities like this.
Samuel stood still, watching him. But before anything else could happen, a crowd of wolves arrived, led by the Alpha, who approached with authority.
— What is the meaning of this? We are a family. There's no place for useless fighting among us! — The Alpha looked sternly at both of them. — I will punish you.
Anne stepped forward, trying to intervene:
— Sir, they fought because… well, it was a misunderstanding. I promise it won't happen again.
The Alpha watched her, considering, then nodded.
— This time, I'll let it go. But don't forget: this is your last chance.
Sam thanked him, ashamed, and walked away. The Alpha looked at Samuel, motioning for him to follow.
Before leaving, Samuel knelt before little Alex, who was still silently watching everything. He picked a small flower from the ground and placed it behind the pup's ear.
— We'll meet again, Alex. See you soon.
With one last glance, Samuel followed the Alpha, ready to face the next stage of his journey.
🌙────── 🐾 ──────🌙