I hardly noticed the bell ringing for the next hour. I was still standing, blinded by the sun, in front of the entrance to our school, looking into nothing and was catapulted into my past by the vortex of thoughts in my head.
Images of my quarreling parents ran in front of my inner eye. farewell scenes. Memories of tears, anger and disappointment, which ultimately drove me to run down the stairs and get out.
I would simply explain to Mr. Handsome that the incident with Guiselle was too much for me and I would be back in time so that my brother would not notice my disappearance.
That was the plan!
My feet carried me faster and faster along the deserted streets while the sun shone down on me and colorful leaves fell from the trees. The beginning of autumn used to be my favorite time of year, but today, on this overwhelming day, I only noticed the bright colors around me in passing. I was too taken with myself.
I kept thinking about Viola's eyes, about Trevis' sudden change of heart, and also about Guiselle, who I still didn't know who had simply claimed her.
Probably some idiot from our school who had come of age and hadn't found a mate. Then they quickly decided to take another one.
Wolves are really predators, there is no other way to describe it.
When I finally arrived at the sports field on the outskirts of town, I stopped for a moment and breathed in the fresh forest air with my eyes closed, which immediately relieved the tension in my body.
Our little town, the wolves, all the problems were now behind me, while in front of me began the forest, which promised me complete freedom through its captivating scent alone.
Full of anticipation, I ran across the meadow behind the sports field and then hid between two trees to get rid of my backpack and clothes. I just hoped I wouldn't lose anything this time, but before I could even get to take off anything but my backpack, I suddenly heard a branch snap not far away, which made me look startled in the direction of the noise source.
It must have been my imagination, I kept telling myself, and ignoring my fast heartbeat, I curiously walked a few steps into the forest.
The colorful leaves rustled under my black sneakers, while a few rays of sunshine shone through the dense trees and only a gloomy forest lay in front of me.
Why didn't I just run away? Well, those who knew me knew that it wasn't possible for me not to satisfy my curiosity, so I kept walking until I came to a small clearing.
I stood right in the middle of the small square, turned around several times to search, but I neither heard nor saw anything that allowed me to take a deep breath. If someone saw me here in the forbidden forest... they would surely punish me with whatever...
I looked around one last time at the beautiful trees before heading back, but suddenly I stopped and my eyes widened in shock.
In front of me, between the trees and the sunbeams, stood a pitch-black wolf, his eyes fixed on me and his posture radiating pure hostility.
Crap!
If it were one of us below, he would surely have thoughts of a forced marking. When do you ever find a girl alone in the woods, far from any help? Of course, this could never happen to me...
If it were one of the superiors, I would probably pay for being here, which would probably be even worse...
Breathing shallowly, my hands shaking, I could feel my heart pounding in my throat while my eyes locked on him. I had no intention of just surrendering, and I froze, waiting for him to do anything, but he didn't move a bit. He seemed almost petrified and then something happened that I never thought possible and that threatened to unravel my mind.
His smell filled my nostrils. A scent that made me tingle all over my body. If I hadn't been trembling already, I would have started now at the latest. Those dark eyes that kept staring at me showed me anger, brokenness, and pain, but also warmth, joy, and happiness. The tousled fur shone from the individual rays and it almost looked like a painting... a really beautiful painting...
I wanted to take a step towards him curiously, even though I was terrified, but I was trapped, feeling hypnotized, unable to control my own body. But before I could put one foot in front of the other, he growled menacingly and showed me his sharp fangs, before circling me slowly like a wolf around his prey.
Fear and curiosity shot through me in equal measure, and I watched with excitement as he put one paw in front of the other, never taking his eyes off me, until he suddenly came closer and positioned himself right in front of me, so that I could walk into the otherwise silent forest could even hear his heartbeat.
His eyes darted over my body, then locked on mine again and he cocked his head as if lost in thought.
Should I run away? Should I touch him? Say something? And if so, what do you say to a strange wolf in the middle of the forest? Hi? That didn't really strike me as wise.
His breathing was calm and even, calming mine as well, which relaxed me a little even though I was still scared.
How did he do it? Could he control my feelings?
A thousand questions ran through my head and then, all of a sudden and unexpectedly, he turned and ran through the forest howling loudly.
My rigidity disappeared, my mind went into overdrive again and when he was no longer to be seen between the trees, I ran like a tarantula stung, back to my backpack, which was still lying between the trees at the edge of the forest.
I ran through the trees, accelerating, vowing to myself that I would never set foot in the forest again. Apparently I had more luck than sense once again and I was so grateful for that that tears of relief ran down my cheeks as I got to my backpack, put it on hastily and just kept running, confused as never before.