The Wolf Who Saved Me

Today’s evening run was the same groupings as yesterday except for Lila, who did not join. When I heard Landon say that Lila doesn’t feel well, I again pitied her. She must still be feeling humiliated because of yesterday’s incident. But I can’t do anything.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Our group went on the same route during the run, and there was nothing unusual except for the tracks we discovered. Mud and eroded soil were slowly covering it that they would not be visible soon.

During the run, I was expecting to see the new tracks that were discovered last night. I wanted to compare it, although it might still look the same. At some point, I thought it must have been the same wolf. But he should already know the exit so, why trouble himself and try another route? He would not act stupid, not unless he wanted to get caught. So, I concluded that these are two different wolves. But do they belong to the same pack? That I could not answer. However, the one who looked at me, I am sure he doesn’t belong to the White Pack. There was something different on him which I could not tell.

Before Reule talked to the entire pack, he discussed something private with Landon. I think it was about the other tracks. Reule had not seen it yet, as far as I know.

Reule’s announcement was pretty much the same as yesterday. He just reassured the pack that there was nothing to be worried about because the forest and the pack’s surrounding areas would remain checked at night.

The people partied like how they usually do. It made me think that they must really loved parties that they don’t care that someone got humiliated yesterday or was it because it was Lila. They don’t feel sad nor worried about the discovery of the tracks. They have so much trust and respect in Reule

I was still looking at the children dancing when Reule sat across me.

“The way you stare at the kids dancing makes me feel like you don’t know how to dance. Am I right to say that?” Reule asked.

It caught my attention, and I looked at him, frowning.

“It’s not that!”

“What is it then? Was it because you think the kids danced better than you?”

“Oh, stop that! I was looking at everyone here. They all looked like they didn’t have worries like they trusted and depended on you so much.”

“This is one of the reasons why I asked you to be quiet for now. It’s not like I am hiding to keep dignity, but I don’t want them to live in fear. Our pack is one of the smallest in number, so we will lose if we get attacked by a pack more than our number despite me being the leader. So, I want to take responsibility for all the worry and let them be free of stress and fear.”

I was quiet for a moment. Then I looked at Reule. He was watching the children.

“I understand your reason. But for how long are you going to keep that from them? And do you even have an idea of who they were?”

“The second track I have checked it before the run, and it doesn’t smell the same as the one we found.”

“I thought of that, too. I mean, I have not seen the other one, but we should have seen two tracks running in the same direction if they were the same. He should go in the same direction where he knows he could get out.”

“Whoa! Looking up at the ceiling must have helped you to use your brain well.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed before asking, “Whatever! But why are your pack members like this?”

“What do you mean? Why are they like this?”

“Lila got humiliated yesterday, and none of them feel sad or worried about her, except I think Landon. How could they party while one of the pack was unhappy?”

“If you are wondering about my pack like that, look at yourself first. Why have you not checked Lila if you are too concerned?”

“Because obviously, I am not the person she wanted to see. Yesterday, I offered to help her do the dishes, but she only yelled at me. So, I think my best way to help her is to leave her alone.”

“Same goes to the people around here. We know how Lila behaves, so most of us think we should just leave her alone and let her anger and hurt subsides. But asked Landon how many people asked him how was she doing and if Lila needed help, they would help.”

“What about you? Are you not going to check on her and apologize?”

“For what, I am going to apologize?”

“For the humiliation and for making her cry.”

“Oh, that’s not something I should apologize for. If Lila doesn’t want me to get upset like that, then she should not have done what she did. It’s just a consequence of her actions. And didn’t I explain this last night? Why am I repeating myself?”

“I still think you should say sorry to her. You don’t know how it feels to love someone that doesn’t love you back; it’s painful and sad. And by making her cry, you just made her suffer even more.”

Reule only looked at me as if he understood what Lila felt, which was unusual to me. How could he look like me like that when he had not even fallen in love? He had never experienced an unrequited love which I did several times before I met Caleb.

“I never asked her to love me; she just made that choice. How I think and act should not be based on her feelings. I can’t get blamed for her suffering because she loves me. And besides, if I went to her and asked for forgiveness, it’s like giving her what she wanted. I would feel like bending my rules and principles just to make her happy. But that is not me. I can’t be the person that she wanted. And if she has to get hurt for her to understand, then let her suffer.”

Reule stood and walked away after saying that. I was left there murmuring, “What an asshole! He could just go to her and simply say, I am sorry, but it doesn’t mean I like you. How hard could that be?”