Chapter 4: The Fierce Protector
The late afternoon sun cast warm, golden hues over the mountain trail as Rodney and his friends hiked up the path, joking and laughing, grateful for the brief escape from the city. Rodney hadn’t felt this light in months—not since Margot had vanished without a trace, leaving him haunted by unanswered questions. Yet out here, surrounded by nature, he almost felt free from his memories, even if only for a little while.
“Hey, Rodney!” his friend Carl called from up ahead.
“Bet you can’t beat us to the top!”
Rodney smirked, feeling the spark of a challenge.
“You’re on!” he shouted, sprinting ahead. He soon left the group behind, his laugh echoing as he navigated the trail. But as the minutes passed, he glanced back to find his friends nowhere in sight, realizing with a jolt that he’d strayed far from the group.
“Carl? Emma?” he called, pausing to catch his breath, but his voice only echoed back, unanswered.
He frowned, trying to retrace his steps. The sky above dimmed as evening set in, and a strange hush fell over the forest. Shadows grew long, and an uncomfortable chill crept through the air. Rodney tried calling out again, but his voice seemed to vanish into the silence around him. Taking a deep breath, he began walking back the way he’d come.
Suddenly, a low, menacing growl cut through the silence.
Rodney froze, his heart hammering. He turned slowly and found himself face-to-face with a group of tall, menacing figures, their eyes gleaming with an unnatural yellow glow. Realization struck him like ice water: lycans. Predators—ones who had no qualms about seeing him as prey.
The lead lycan bared its sharp, gleaming teeth, a low snarl rumbling from its chest. Rodney instinctively took a step back, every muscle in his body tense with fear.
“This can’t be real,” he whispered, his voice barely a breath.
The lycans circled him, sizing him up. The lead lycan’s lips pulled back in a twisted grin, and it lunged, claws outstretched. Rodney stumbled backward, a scream stuck in his throat.
Just as the lycan was about to strike, a fierce howl erupted from the shadows. A massive silver-gray wolf leaped into the fray, positioning herself protectively in front of Rodney. The wolf’s fur bristled as she bared her teeth, a deadly glint in her golden eyes.
The lycans paused, snarling with surprise and fury.
“This human is ours, wolf,” growled the lead lycan.
“Step aside.”
The wolf growled even louder, her posture daring them to approach. She lunged first, her powerful jaws clamping onto the lycan’s arm with surprising force, throwing him to the ground. The other lycans attacked, but she fought with ferocity, dodging, biting, and clawing in a blur of movement.
Rodney could only watch, frozen in awe and disbelief, as this wolf defended him with everything she had. One by one, the lycans retreated, limping back into the shadows, until finally the forest fell silent.
The wolf took a few steps back, panting heavily. Then she turned to Rodney, her eyes meeting his with a warmth that surprised him.
Rodney swallowed, still shaken.
“I… I don’t know how to thank you,” he stammered.
“You… you saved my life.”
To his utter shock, the wolf tilted her head, then opened her mouth to speak.
“You’re welcome,” she said in a low, steady voice that carried both strength and kindness.
Rodney’s eyes widened.
“Y-you… you can talk?”
The wolf let out a soft laugh, her eyes glimmering with amusement. “Yes, I can talk,” she replied, her voice gentle.
“I’m not like the others.”
Rodney blinked, unable to wrap his mind around the situation. “So… who are you? Do you have a name?”
The wolf paused, as if weighing her response. Then, with a small smile, she said, “My name is Nancy.”
“Nancy,” Rodney repeated, feeling a strange sense of comfort in her presence, though something about her felt oddly familiar. “I’m Rodney.”
Nancy dipped her head in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Rodney.”
Rodney took a hesitant step forward. “I don’t mean to pry, but… why did you help me? You didn’t have to risk your life for someone you don’t even know.”
Nancy’s gaze softened. “Let’s just say… it was the right thing to do.” She glanced away, a hint of sadness in her eyes, as though she was holding back a truth she couldn’t reveal.
Rodney studied her, feeling an inexplicable connection to this mysterious wolf. “Well… thank you, Nancy. I owe you everything.”
Nancy looked back at him with a gentle smile. “You’re welcome, Rodney. But come on—night is falling, and it’s not safe out here.” She nudged her head in the direction of the trail. “Let me lead you back.”
Rodney nodded, gratefully following as she walked beside him, her steps silent and sure. He couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity that tugged at him, but he couldn’t pinpoint why. Every now and then, he caught her glancing at him with a mixture of warmth and sadness, as though she knew him better than she let on.
They walked in silence for a while, the dimming light casting shadows over the path. Rodney couldn’t help but steal glances at her, fascinated by this creature who had risked her life for him and could speak like a human. The forest grew darker, and he felt strangely comforted by her presence.
Finally, he broke the silence. “So… Nancy, do you live around here? Are you part of a pack?”
Nancy hesitated, her expression unreadable. “Yes, I do live nearby. I have a family, and we… we protect these mountains.”
Rodney looked at her, a trace of awe in his eyes. “Well, your family must be proud to have someone so brave. You were incredible back there.”
Nancy’s ears flicked back, a faint smile touching her lips. “Thank you, Rodney,” she murmured, though her tone held a note of sadness. “It’s just… it’s my duty to protect others.”
Rodney gave her a soft smile, his admiration evident. “If there’s anything I can do to repay you, I will. Really. You saved my life.”
Nancy stopped, turning to face him fully, her eyes serious. “Just be careful in these mountains, Rodney. Not everyone here is friendly, and some creatures—like those lycans—live only to cause harm.”
Rodney nodded. “Understood.” He paused, then asked, “Will… will I see you again?”
A small, bittersweet smile crossed Nancy’s face. “Perhaps. I’ll be around.”
Rodney’s heart gave a strange, hopeful lurch. “Good,” he said, smiling. “I’d like that.”
They reached the edge of the trail where the lights of his campsite shone dimly through the trees. Rodney turned to Nancy, feeling a pang of reluctance to leave her. “Thank you again, Nancy,” he said earnestly. “For everything.”
Nancy gazed at him, her eyes softening as she nodded. “Goodbye, Rodney. Take care.”
He gave a small wave and headed back to the camp, casting one last glance over his shoulder. Nancy stood there, watching him disappear, her expression a mixture of sadness and longing. Once he was gone, she let out a quiet sigh, a trace of regret clouding her eyes.
With a final look toward the lights of his camp, Nancy turned and vanished into the forest, her form blending into the shadows.