Wolf Heart
By Dallas Jessica Owen
Amazon Edition
Copyright March 2019 D J Owen
Amazon License Statement
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Cover licensed under Pixabay License
Original cover photograph here
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/wolf-night-forest-water-castle-1937354/
No changes were made apart from adding a title and author name.
Check out the very talented artist JL G as well.
https://pixabay.com/users/ractapopulous-24766/
Table of Contents
Wolf Heart
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Excerpt from Banshee
Excerpt from Wolf & Raven
Contact Me
Wolf Heart
Chapter 1
Birds sang overhead as Alice skipped along the forest path, her hand held within her father’s. Tree’s towered above her as flowers bloomed along the tree’s undergrowth and the air smelled of flowers and honey. For a moment she had a memory of the honey cakes her mother used to make before she pushed it away with a momentary twinge of sadness. Swinging beside her, held in her free hand was the small wicker basket that her mother had made for her, just for these occasions.
“Papa, what are they?” She pointed towards a spray of flowers that were growing around a thick tree trunk and started pulling him towards them. Large light blue petals surrounded a darker blue iridescence and the perfume that filled the air near them was thick with a dark smoky floral scent. Her father stopped next to her and she looked up at him with eyes that shined and then she giggled as he tweaked her nose with his thumb.
“They are Cerulean Poppies, Alice. It is said that green Lady Sova who created all the flowers and tree’s made it blue to honor her sister, Lady Taharee. To thank her for that honor Lady Taharee gave it the power to heal ailments of the eyes.” He kneeled down by her side and watched as he reached out and picked one, placing it in her basket. “There, now you have a flower to match your own eyes.”
The dirt where he had pulled one flowed like water and she saw insects scrabbling around, trying to get at the flowers roots. They grubbed greedily and she heard her father whisper, “Before I came to this village and met your mother I traveled all over and sometimes the only thing I had to eat were these little bugs.” She laughed as he made a horrible face, “They are yuck! I had better not catch my five-year-old daughter eating these. That would not be a sensible thing for a five-year-old to do, no not at all.”
She heard his teasing tone and rose to it. Stamping her foot she declared, “I am nearly six!” and setting her shoulders with a determined hunch Alice reached for one of the bugs. “If you can do it I can too!” before her father stopped her with a smile on his face.
“You can do anything you put your mind to Alice, but why would you want to eat these when I have something better for you here,” His hand delved into his pocket and brought out a packet of paper which he unwrapped. Held within was a pastry that oozed dark sticky goo. “I sneaked it out before you mother saw,” he said handing it carefully to his small precious daughter. “But it’s our secret and don’t you dare let it spoil your dinner.”
Alice reached up and hugged her father. “Thank you, papa,” she said in her singsong voice and taking the paper she held it carefully in one hand before biting into the sweet pastry. Instantly her mouth was full of dark thick sweetness that she loved. “Now I have to gather the herbs for your mother’s medicine. You can look around here but do not wander off too far ok Alice?”
She nodded, barely hearing her father as the treat in her hand consumed her attention. Beside her, her father dropped her hand and kneeling down he dropped the leather satchel he always carried and took out a sickle. Carefully he began to cut the plants he needed and as he did Alice looked around inquisitively.
A large butterfly flapped around her and then lazily flew through the air further down the path. It had large purple wings and as it flapped the patterns upon it shone like the sun. Looking down at her father she saw he was still busy and sweet treat in her hand she made her way a little way down the forest path following it, before the butterfly flew away into the trees.
Sunlight shone down upon the mud path and the warm sunlight warmed her. Happy she skipped down the path a little further and saw more flowers. Red and purple they were ones she had seen before and she walked towards them. No, she thought. I should help papa gather the herbs to help Momma’s cough. Her hand reached out to pick it though, placing it in her small basket. It will make a good gift for Mama she thought seriously as she looked around for the herbs her father had come to find.
I hope mama gets better soon. She’s always tired now. She missed the times she had used to play with her mother. Papa will heal her though. Papa can do anything. He would heal her mother she knew. All he needed was the right herbs and she could help him with that. He had taken her into the forest many times to collect herbs and when he did, he always taught her something new. Peering into the undergrowth with all seriousness she saw none of the herbs her father needed and scowled. One day I am going to be a healer like Papa. I don’t care what anyone says.
Her foot squelched in the muddy path. It had rained last night and the mud was still damp enough to cling to her. She could see deep ruts driven into the mud where the overburdened wheels of the traders had pushed deep into the earth. Carefully, she crossed them with her small feet, stumbling slightly. Taking another bite of her sweet treat she looked into the opposite tree line and searched for the herbs that would help her mother.
Looking back down the trading track she could barely see her father but she could hear him, in the distance. I could go a bit further she thought before a snuffling sound gently floated in the air towards her. Placing her sweet treat in her basket she peered through the trees and tried to see what had caused the sound. It came again and carefully she took a step into the undergrowth. Leaves that were green and huge slapped against her and she skilfully moved past smaller leaves that would sting her if given the chance. Spotting a clump of straight leaves near a rock she bent, pulled them up and placed the roots within her basket with a satisfied expression before moving onwards searching for the strange sound.
Then her bright blue eyes saw it. It was an animal of black and silver, of noisy foraging and shrill calls. Large and dangerous it growled as it saw her and then rushing her she saw its wicked claws bright in the sunshine. She shrieked, falling backward as she tried to backpedal and fell. Her rump hit the ground painfully but she hardly felt it.
Her legs kicked out, f
eet digging into the soil of the forest as she pushed herself back away from the angry forest creature. Still, it came onwards, a carpet of fur and anger against the calm and peace of the forest. Spitting its shrill growl loud in the air she saw its wicked claws glinting in the sun as it came and she opened her mouth to scream in fear.
A growling bark from the undergrowth answered her silent scream and she watched open mouthed as the badger turned away from her. Getting to her feet she ran to the nearest tree and stopped to catch her breath. With eyes wide, she moved behind the tree, peeked out fearfully at the scene and saw the badger, its body bristling with fear as the newcomer growled its high pitched growl.
From the undergrowth came a young wolf. Legs splayed its hackles were raised as it stared down the badger. Teeth that were white and looked entirely too big to Alice’s five-year-old eyes were wet as saliva dripped from its jaws and its bark was high, a yipping call that was directed at the badger. Pure black but for one long streak of silver running along most of its body, the wolf pounced and jumped back, its claws coming close to the badger but never hitting.
I should run, she thought but the scene in front of her was too intriguing for her inquisitive nature, to strange to leave it alone. Silently she stood, watching the pair entranced as together the wolf and the badger danced, moving and jostling for position until finally, the badger had enough and turning it moved back where it had come from, towards its set where Alice had no doubt disturbed it.
Then the wolf turned, its eyes staring at her and she saw they were green, bright and vivid like spring leaves. Slowly it moved towards her, its nose sniffing the air as it caught something. It’s a wolf but Papa said we rarely get wolves here. She did not feel afraid of it as it came closer and closer with its green eyes staring at her. Her bright blue eyes stared back and then before she knew it, it was standing in front of her and she knew she could not run even if she wanted to.
Curiously the wolf sniffed at her hand that held the basket and she laughed as its cold nose stroked the back of her hand. Then its nose disappeared into her basket and she pulled it back. “So you want to share my treat, Mr. Wolf?” Dropping her small basket she took out her sweet pastry and tore it in half before offering part of it to the wild creature. Carefully it sniffed at it and then took it from her hand with its sharp teeth carefully.
As it bit down on the sweet pastry she carefully ran her fingers through its coat. Unlike her fine blond hair, it was dark, coarse and thick under her small hand. Stroking it gently she whispered “Thank you, Mr. Wolf,” as the wolf pup swallowed the last of her sweet treat with one large gulp.
“Alice, Alice where are you?” She heard her father’s voice and turned her head. As she did she heard another growl, deeper than the anything she had ever heard before and she turned her head to see another wolf emerge from the undergrowth. This one was larger than the one that had saved her and she felt her small heart flutter like a bird within her chest.
With a yipping bark, the smaller wolf by her side bounded over to the larger wolf and nuzzled it. With a growl, the larger turned, disappeared back into the undergrowth and the smaller wolf followed it before turning once more. Its deep green eyes stared into hers and then with a final bark it disappeared as well.
“Alice, where are you!” She could hear her father’s panicked shout and grabbing her basket she left the last of her pastry on the forest floor in case the wolf came back.
“I’m here papa.” Taking one last look at the undergrowth where the wolf had disappeared she turned to go back to the forest path. “Papa!” she shouted as she pushed through the undergrowth. “Papa, there was a badger. It tried to hurt me but a wolf stopped it.”
Her father burst from the undergrowth and stood in front of her. Grabbing her he picked her up in his strong arms and hugged her tight. “Alice, this is a dangerous forest. You shouldn’t go running off in it alone. Even to help me or your mother. Do you understand?”
“I’m sorry papa.” She did not feel sorry though. Then she looked down into her basket “I gathered some herbs you could use and a flower for mama. And there was a badger and a wolf. I saw them.”
Turning her father carried her out of the undergrowth, his arms tight around her. “A badger you say. Well, they should not be out yet. It is still too sunny. Maybe you disturbed its set or got too close to its family.” She felt him ruffle her hair and felt safe in his arms. Then he tickled her and she laughed. It was a sound that could not help but bring a smile to his face.
“What about the wolf papa? It was little, like me.” She tried to put on a serious face but she felt too happy. “I did see it, I did. It saved me from the badger.”
She felt him put her down and then his large hand covered hers. “A wolf pup you say? Well, why would a wolf pup help you out sapling? It would make a meal of you and still be hungry afterward!”
“But it had green eyes and a bright silver mark. And a bigger one turned up to collect it!” She felt his hand squeeze hers slightly and she rushed onwards “And it ate my pastry. Its fur was funny, like stiff hair and its nose felt wet and cold!”
“Green eyes you say,” she nodded her face very serious and he chuckled, “Wolves don’t have green eyes, Alice.” Then she felt his hand squeeze hers, “Well no matter what you saw I think we should thank them. I will place some meat out for them later. Right now, you are safe and I have what I need so come on, it is time to head for home. I will make your mothers medicine and we will see how she feels today.”
I did see the wolf she thought as she walked. And it did save me. The entire walk home she thought about the wolf, and its strange black fur with the splash of silver that ran down its back. Most of all she thought of the startling green eyes that had stared into hers with as much curiosity as she felt.
Chapter 2
Coughing, loud and barking echoed through the small wood cabin that Alice lived in with her family. She jerked awake at the sound, all too common nowadays and whispered, “Mama,” as it came again. She could hear her father’s soft voice murmuring words that she could not make out. The past six months had been full of nights like these and she swung her legs out of bed hearing the coughing begin again.
She had turned six three months ago and she had spent it at her mother’s bedside. The whole village had come down with a fever and her father had been treating everyone leaving Alice to look after her mother. Dipping a cloth into a bowl of cold water she had drawn from the well and wiping her mother’s face with it whilst her father had rushed around everyone else.
That was the last time she smiled Alice thought when I kept her forehead cool. Lip trembling she swallowed the sadness that threatened to engulf her, concentrating on the good memories she had. Her mother’s eyes, as blue as her own, gazing at her as her mother’s hand stroked her cheek. “You are my pride and joy, never forget that no matter what happens,” her mother had whispered to her and Alice had hugged her hard full of love.
Listening carefully she heard her father speak. “Here my love, I have made you this. Breathe it in; it will ease the congestion on your lungs.” Her father spoke softly, quietly as if he were talking to a child and her mother began to cough once more. The darkness of the cabin somehow made it louder and it echoed until it was all she could hear. I should go and help. Her small feet hit the wooden beams of the floor and she padded quietly towards her parent's room.
“Georg, the pain is getting worse with every breath. I cannot hold on much longer. I need you to promise me two things. If you hold any love for me you will do this.” Her mother’s voice was weak and trembling. Stopping outside her parent’s room she listened carefully to her parents, not understanding what they were saying.
“I can still find a cure Adana. I won’t give up on you. I can’t.” Her father’s voice sounded strange, high as if he was in pain and Alice felt her heart thump wildly.
“I have loved my life with you, short though it was and you gave me a daughter and I love you for it. Promise me, when it
ends, you will not allow this village to rule her. Terrel is a spineless man who allows the church to rule him and his son is a terror. Promise me, Georg, you will keep her safe.”
Her mother’s voice was weak and she heard her father quietly answer, “I promise you, I will keep her safe. On my love for you, I promise it.”
Another coughing fit interrupted them then and Alice stood outside their room unsure of what to do. “Georg when it comes to the time you will end this, won’t you. You won’t allow me to suffer?” Her mother gasped it breathlessly, her voice full of pain and she heard her father sob.
Pushing the door to the room open Alice saw candles aflame. They sent shadows scurrying across the room. The air was thick with sweet smelling smoke as something smoked close to the bed and taking a step into the room she whispered “Mama,”
Her mother lay on the bed. Laying on her side her face was hanging in space, a bowl underneath her and as she coughed a dribble of phlegm escaped her mouth to fall into it. Bright Skin was stretched tightly across her skull and she saw her mother’s blue eyes, bright and glassy look wildly at her. Raising one trembling hand she reached out towards her.
“Alice,” her mother’s voice rattled as her father rubbed at her back in circular motions, attempting to clear the congestion and then she coughed once more. Blood splattered across the floor as it sprayed from her lips and a thin red line dribbled from her mother’s mouth downwards. Shadows danced crazily across the room and the sweet smoke was thick making Alice’s head pound.
“Alice, my love,” The hand that reached for her was bony and in the shadows, she saw twitch and tremble madly. Heart pounding she looked up, saw a skull grinning at her from the bed, its lips stained red with blood and its bright blue eyes sinking into sockets. Shaking her head Alice whimpered and backed away.
“Go back to bed Alice. I will come and look in on you when your mother is more comfortable.” Her father’s words broke through her fear and turning she ran. Escaping from her parents sleeping space all she could see was the skull reaching for her and fear coursed through her body. Heart beating wildly she ran for the front door, threw it open and ran into the night.
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