Lena's POV
It was just another quiet evening in Greystone—a sleepy little town where nothing ever seemed to happen. The kind of place where people knew each other's business, where the most exciting event of the week was the farmer's market.
I stepped out of the clinic, locking the door behind me. The chill of the evening nipped at my cheeks, and I tugged my scarf a little tighter. The day had been long, filled with back-to-back appointments and the occasional emergency. Still, I loved my job as a vet. There was something fulfilling about helping animals heal.
As I made my way toward my car, the street lights flickered to life. The sound of gravel crunching under my boots filled the silence. It was oddly comforting—this routine of mine. But tonight felt different, though I couldn't quite put my finger on why.
Halfway to my car, a faint noise caught my attention. A whimper. I froze, straining my ears to locate the sound. There it was again, soft and pitiful, like a cry for help. My heart twisted, and without thinking, I followed it.
The sound led me to the edge of the woods behind the clinic. Shadows danced between the trees, and for a moment, I hesitated. Going into the woods alone wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do, but that whimper pulled at me.
"Hello?" I called out, my voice barely above a whisper.
The whimper came again, closer this time. I stepped cautiously into the trees, my flashlight cutting through the darkness. And then I saw him—a dog, lying motionless in the brush. His dark fur was matted with blood, and his chest rose and fell unevenly.
"Oh no," I breathed, dropping to my knees beside him. "Hey there, buddy. It's okay. I've got you."
He opened one eye—a startling shade of amber that seemed to pierce right through me. It was almost… human. I shook off the thought. This wasn't the time for silly imaginings.
Carefully, I examined him. His injuries were bad, but not impossible to treat. A deep gash ran along his side, and his paw looked twisted, possibly broken. He needed help, and fast.
"I'm going to pick you up, okay?" I murmured, sliding my arms under him. He flinched but didn't fight me. He was heavier than he looked, but adrenaline carried me back to my car.
Once I got him settled on the back seat, I sped home, breaking every speed limit along the way. The clinic had better equipment, sure, but the thought of going back there alone at night gave me the creeps. Besides, I had enough supplies at home to get him stabilized until morning.
As soon as we arrived, I carried him inside and laid him on an old blanket in the living room. He whimpered again, his eyes following my every move. There was something unnervingly intelligent about the way he watched me, but I pushed the thought aside.
"Okay, let's get you cleaned up," I said, grabbing my kit. Talking to animals wasn't unusual for me—it helped keep them calm. Or maybe it helped keep me calm. Either way, the sound of my voice seemed to soothe him.
Cleaning his wounds wasn't easy. He growled low in his throat when I touched the gash on his side, but he didn't snap at me. "I know it hurts," I whispered. "But you're a tough guy, aren't you?"
By the time I finished, exhaustion was creeping in. I leaned back on my heels, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand. "There. All done. You're going to be okay."
The dog—no, he was too big and regal for just 'dog.' He felt more like a wolf. But that couldn't be right, could it? Wolves didn't wander into towns like this.
"Guess I'll just call you Wolf for now," I said with a tired smile.
Wolf huffed softly, almost like a laugh. I stared at him, wondering if I was imagining things. Maybe I was just overtired.
"You stay put," I said, standing up. "I'll get you some water."
When I returned, Wolf was still watching me, those strange amber eyes locked onto mine. It was unsettling but also… comforting, in a way. Like he was trying to tell me something.
As the night stretched on, I found myself dozing off on the couch, too tired to make it to my bed. Wolf lay curled up on the blanket, his breathing steady now. The storm outside had picked up, rain pattering against the windows and wind howling through the trees.
In my half-asleep state, I thought I heard a voice—low and rough, but unmistakably human. "Thank you."
My eyes snapped open, and I sat up, heart pounding. The room was empty, save for Wolf, who was still lying where I'd left him. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, I could've sworn he looked… amused.
I shook my head. "Get a grip, Lena," I muttered, pulling the blanket tighter around me.
But as I drifted back to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling that my quiet little life was about to change forever