Snow from the previous storm had begun to melt into slush and new growth was starting to peek out from the earth.
Charlotte hummed to herself, eyes intently searching the ground for anything interesting.
It was Saturday. Since she didn't have school she'd decided to go foraging. She was curious as to what sorts of plants had been hiding under the icy blanket of winter.
Moreover, she had nothing else to do. Staying in the basement was rather unappealing and despite Amelia's best efforts, the brunette had managed to evade any plans with her new friend. It wasn't that the girl didn't want to hang out with her, but she had neither permission nor money.
Perhaps once she got to know Amelia and Maddie more she would explain the situation. It was sometimes hard for others to understand. Most people hadn't experienced a life like hers. They had the benefit of friends and family who stuck with them through the years. People looked out for them and they always had a shoulder to lean on.
Being an orphan was incredibly lonely, more so than most realized. Whether it was people or possessions, Charlotte had very little.
Conceivably that's why the brunette was so in touch with the world around her. She spent much of her time alone, outside. Nature was steady and rhythmic. It played by its own rules, but the rule book was clear. Life, death, birth, and repeat.
Nature was where she found consistency in her life. Her connection to it felt easy and natural. Without it, she became rather moody.
Even without formal training as a witch, Charlotte was very in-tune with the magic of mother nature. She'd discovered at a young age that she had very good instincts when it came to plants. Better yet, it was an ability she didn't have to hide for fear of raising suspicions.
She could easily identify which plants were edible, which were poisonous, and which had medicinal properties. Sometimes it was just a vague inclination. For instance, often times she didn't know how the medicinal plants were supposed to be used, she only knew that they were medicinal.
She'd already discovered a few hawthorne plants, just breaking through the frost. The bright red berries were easy to spot in contrast to the white snow.
Edible plants were always a welcome find, particularly when food at home was scarce. The girl carefully plucked the berries away from the plant. She tossed a few of the sweet tangy berries in her mouth, then stuffed more in her pockets before continuing.
Snow crunched under Charlotte's shoes as she crossed over the few remaining patches.
On the far side of a clearing, she noticed several small green vines stubbornly winding out of the ground. The vines were adorned with light fuzzy leaves.
Charlotte wasn't sure what the viny green plant was but she knew it was edible. Breaking off a piece, she popped it into her mouth.
The vine tasted earthy and almost oniony.
Maybe good in soup? She wasn't sure, but she would keep it in mind.
The brunette pattered on, trailing around the edge of the clearing until it became a bit rocky. Some plants and fungi liked to hide in darker places such as on or under rocks.
Charlotte carefully climbed over a few of the boulders, to see if there was anything of interest. There wasn't much more than a bit of green tree moss, but that was found everywhere in the forest.
She did notice something odd though.
A plant that had grown a bit sideways was peeking out from the crevice of a large boulder. The plant had purple thorns and bright green buds. Its numerous thin roots were wrapped around a smaller much more porous stone.
Charlotte gently stroked one of the plant's green leaves.
The plant felt odd, almost responsive, but not quite. All living things had their own energy, but this plant seemed to have more. Something extra.
However, it felt neither beneficial nor harmful.
She wasn't quite sure what to make of the little plant but it was intriguing. She gave it one last curious glance before turning away.
With her search at its end, the brunette decided to head back to the house, but as she turned to face the clearing, the girl was startled to see that she was not alone.
Standing in the middle of the small clearing was the black wolf. The wolf's abrupt appearance surprised her, although perhaps it shouldn't have.
She shivered as a sense of deja vu washed over her, conjuring up images of her dream from the night before.
The wolf's broad stance was domineering. Naturally, he stood in the clearing as if he owned it.
Charlotte gulped. Could she not go anywhere without running into this beast? She groaned internally.
It almost felt like the wolf was intentionally seeking her out.
Well, she wasn't going to allow him to intimidate her, the girl decided.
The wolf's silver eyes bore down on her as she squared her shoulders and met his gaze. His eyes were not nearly as soft as her dream wolf's were.
No, this wolf's eyes were sharp like steel daggers.
Gio tried to hide his amusement as his mate attempted to stare him down, her face scrunched in annoyance. The little brunette was cute and not at all threatening.
He was surprised it had taken her so long to notice him, he'd been watching her for a while now.
Apparently, the girl was so intent on her foraging that she hadn't noticed. Not that Gio minded, watching her gather different plants and berries was adorable.
At first, he'd been worried that she would eat something poisonous, but the more he watched the more it seemed like she knew what she was doing.
After a few minutes of posturing, Charlotte realized that the wolf was not going to move. He was not at all intimidated or deterred by her glaring. In fact, the wolf seemed far too captivated by her to suddenly lose interest and break away.
The girl sighed; she would have to edge her way around the clearing to get around the wolf without coming too close.
Sure, the wolf had yet to attack her, but the girl was cautious. She was a survivor. She was no little red riding hood, prancing in only to be eaten by the big bad wolf.
Gio studied his mate intently as she slowly tiptoed around him, apparently attempting not to provoke him. If only she had used that method with the bear, he thought wryly.
Suddenly, the wind shifted, carrying her scent closer to him. His nose twitched. Goddess, his mate smelled so good, like sunshine and basil.
Had she always smelt like this? It was divine.
The brunette's efforts to avoid the wolf ended up being pointless because as soon as she left the clearing, the wolf began to follow her. His large paws were eerily quiet, but she could see him in her periphery.
She stared back at the black wolf warily. Why was he always following her? The girl wondered. Surely there were a million other wolf things he could be doing... like hunting or something.
Then again maybe he was hunting...
Unfortunately for Charlotte, she had been so focused on trying to understand the motives of the mysterious wolf that she had lost her sense of direction.
It took her a little while to recognize she was going the wrong way, but the rocky ground and thinning vegetation eventually made her realize that she had stepped into unfamiliar territory.
The forest here was different, it appeared to have been burned by a fire. Although it didn't look recent. The trees were stained with black soot and the only greenery was near the forest floor.
The girl halted abruptly, looking around in confusion.
Panicking, she swung around, looking for something familiar, a landmark but she didn't see one, all she saw were thin trees, rocks, and more rocks.
Oh, and the giant wolf that was following her around like the world's scariest puppy.
The brunette groaned, realizing she was well and truly lost. She ran her hands over her face, pulling it down in frustration.
The wolf studied her in bemusement.
Charlotte realized her behavior must seem odd to him. He probably never got lost, she concluded, grumbling.
It was true, Gio never got lost. Not in this forest at least. He knew every inch, every stone, and every crevice. He'd known Charlotte was going in the wrong direction long before she realized it. In fact, she had been confidently walking in the wrong direction since they left the clearing.
But there was no danger in it, not as long as he was there to protect her, which he was.
The girl's stomach growled embarrassingly loud as she considered her situation, a not so subtle reminder that she was tired, hungry, and probably going to die out there all alone.
Well, not alone. The wolf was still there for some reason.
Maybe he'd come to taunt her one last time.
At least when she died, he would have something to nourish himself with. She would no longer need the flesh on her bones. She was nothing if not a giver, Charlotte mused darkly.
Gio looked down at his mate with concern. The girl was clearly hungry, but she hadn't brought any food with her—unless you counted the berries which he didn't because that wasn't real food, it wasn't meat.
His mate wasn't prepared for survival out there Gio realized. The wolf would have to take care of her, hunt for her.
Charlotte's stomach rumbled again, and the black wolf suddenly darted off.
Great. Now she would die alone, Charlotte grumbled bitterly.
The girl had just decided she would have to try to retrace her steps when suddenly the wolf reappeared in front of her.
His eyes were a bit brighter than usual and his head was held high. Hunting for his mate made Gio's wolf very happy. It felt natural to him. In fact, it was a courting ritual that would be quite common between wolves.
Charlotte couldn't quite see what the wolf held in his mouth. Whatever it was, it was fluffy and brown, standing out slightly from his black fur.
Gio's mate was looking at him oddly. He tossed his catch at her feet. The wikf thought she would be excited, but she just seemed confused.
The girl watched baffled, as the thing landed in front of her shoes with a plop.
It was a squirrel, she realized.
A dead squirrel.
Charlotte screeched, jumping backward. She had not been prepared to have a dead squirrel thrown at her.
Gio frowned, not understanding his mate's aversion. He looked at the thin brunette expectantly, nudging the dead squirrel closer to her.
Was the wolf trying to feed her? Charlotte wondered.
"This is very nice, but I only eat cooked meat." The girl explained awkwardly. Why was she even trying to explain this, it's not like the wolf could understand her, she thought shaking her head.
Gio huffed.
He was a little disappointed that his mate hadn't accepted the meat he offered.
Although, in hindsight, Gio realized that offering her uncooked game may not have been the best idea. It had been a while since he had been around humans.
However, it wasn't as if he could chase down a cheeseburger for her out there. Although he wished he could, it simply wasn't possible.
He supposed the girl could cook the squirrel if she wanted, but perhaps she didn't know how to start a fire? He couldn't start one for her in his wolf form.
"Look, I'm just trying to find my way out of this forest," Charlotte said, gazing at the wolf pleadingly. "Can you help me?"
Silver eyes stared intently into her own, they held so much intelligence, it was almost human-like. The wolf nodded slowly before turning, heading off in a different direction.
The girl stood gaping for a moment before sidestepping the squirrel and rushing to follow the wolf.
What. The. Hell.
Charlotte looked at the wolf in wonder.
This was insane. Or maybe she was insane? She wondered.
Clearly, the wolf understood her, but how? Maybe her powers were growing and she now had the ability to communicate with animals.
She would have to test that theory out.
"So...What's being a wolf like?" She asked, gathering her bravery after a few moments of silence.
Gio's ear twitched in amusement but he kept walking without acknowledging that he understood. He didn't want to freak her out too much.
"Do you have a family? A pack? A mate?" The tiny brunette questioned insistently, as she padded alongside him, trying to keep up.
Again no answer.
"Maybe not a pack, I've only ever seen you alone." She babbled.
It was true, Gio didn't allow his pack to come anywhere near her house. He had ordered them to stay away in fact.
"And if you had a mate, I bet she would be here too."
This was also true, wolves liked to travel with their mates, or at least one or two other wolves. They were pack animals after all.
"No, you probably haven't found a mate yet." The girl decided. "You look young and strong though so maybe you'll find one soon—then you can have cute little pups."
Gio's eyes went dark at the mention of pups. The suggestion sparked a primal response inside of him.
The wolf growled, as his mind turned to more lascivious thoughts. The poor girl would be horrified if she knew how much Gio would like to breed her full of his pups. No doubt she would look adorable with her little pregnant tummy.
Of course, she'd have to put a little weight on herself first, but after that they could have as many pups as she wanted.
Gio shook his head trying to dispel his wolf's thoughts. His human side knew he was going too far, but his mind was like a runaway train.
"I bet your pups would be the cutest little danger fluffs ever seen; dark and moody, just like their father—walking around like they own the place." Charlotte laughed, not noticing the change in the wolf's demeanor.
"You should bring them around if you ever have them. I'd love to see them." She suggested, smiling.
The wolf headbutted the brunette lightly, trying to change the subject.
At first, she gasped in surprise, but once she realized he wasn't trying to hurt her, the girl tilted her head curiously, "—are you trying to play?" She asked suspiciously, placing her hands on her hips.
The wolf chuffed in amusement. She looked stunned by the sound, it seemed almost as if the wolf was laughing.
Then the wolf quickened his pace, trotting further into the trees and she hurried to follow him. Before long, they were arriving at the tree line near her house.
The small house was visible up ahead when Gio held back, remaining in the shadow of the trees.
Realizing, he wasn't moving Charlotte turned to give the wolf an inquisitorial look. She hadn't told him to hang back, he had just known to.
She looked between the wolf and the house. Should she tell him goodbye or something? Thanks maybe? It seemed odd to do so, but he'd saved her twice in the past week.
The girl settled on a quicking nodding her head in acknowledgment. The wolf didn't react, but his silver eyes continued staring at her with that familiar intensity.