What Approaches Is Not Always an Enemy

Before understanding

One of the recurring tensions in The Golden Eyed Wolf is the difference between danger and intent. Power does not always announce malice, and not every threat is meant to harm. Sometimes what unsettles us most is not violence, but the uncertainty of what stands before us and what it might choose to do.

John is not a reckless character. When something approaches at speed, with teeth, his instincts are sensible ones. He assesses risk. He remembers what has nearly killed him before. He prepares, quietly, to survive.

But this world does not always behave according to human assumptions.

In the following scene, what appears to be a threat is, in fact, something else entirely. The danger lies not in the wolves, but in misunderstanding them.

The sounds of yipping and yapping drew their attention to the forest edge.

More than just the few giant wolves they had seen at the cemetery came running out from the trees. As they loped toward them, John felt cold sweat gather on his forehead.

But then, he had survived a giant panther’s arm-long teeth inches from his face and a massive wolf examining his ear in a cemetery. If he were meant to die by tooth or claw, it would already have happened.

“Look,” Lois exclaimed, “John, Mrs. Stoddard. Waaharee and her pack are loping toward us. Is that not a wonderful sight?”

A pack of wolves running in their direction was not John’s idea of wonderful. He was not sure he shared Lois’s excitement at the sight of them charging toward the horses. John found himself agreeing with his mount and edging instinctively toward the safety of TaReNee Manor and the stables.

“Mrs. Stoddard, it may be better if you hold back with John,” Lois said. “I will ride forward and greet Waaharee and her pack.”

Mrs. Stoddard did not appear afraid. Excited, exhilarated perhaps, but not afraid.

“Not on your life, Lois,” she replied. “I have often recalled that time in Cambridge. I wondered about such mythical wolves and the impossible. Having met them already in the cemetery and lived to tell the tale, I intend to be there beside you, in the middle of the pack.”

John approved of the part of that plan that involved staying behind, protected by their horses—protecting their mounts.

With the wolves now close enough that individual shapes were distinct, John could not help thinking their horses might present a better meal. He would have suggested retreating, but Lois was utterly focused on the approaching pack. When she glanced briefly at him, her eyes shone.

“The pack has marked John and me,” Lois said calmly, “but not you, Mrs. Stoddard. Please allow them time to understand that you are part of my pack as well.”

Moments later, excited, yipping wolves surrounded Lois and Mrs. Stoddard. Waaharee—slightly smaller than the others but no less formidable—bowled Lois over and stood panting above her.

Mrs. Stoddard gasped.