Winter Spirits (Work In Progress) by Forest Ostrander (best free ebook reader for android .TXT) 📕

"It is said the Mother Nature took pity on the pups for their differences and wanted to give them the ability to switch back and forth between the two species. She also marveled at their powers and enhanced them with immortality so they could best use their powers to help the land and the people and creatures that walk it."

"Did the she-wolves ever find out they were their daughters?" Josh asked.

"Sadly no. Heartbroken, the two wolves died of starvation. Refusing to eat from their loss. The Alpha male, the girl’s father. Moved the pack to a different region. We do not know what happened to them after. Ever since then, our tribe has worshiped the Winter Spirits and has been blessed with their generosity too many times. In exchange for their help, we protect their secret and keep their memory alive."

"But aren’t they just a myth?"

"To many yes. But in reality no. They are as real as you and I." Josh gulped. The idea of there being powerful wolves in the world made his skin crawl.

"Where do they live?"

"In these woods," Swooping Crow said and as if hearing what he said, a pair of howls sounded out even father in the woods.

"What was that?" Josh asked. Goosebumps dotted his arms and he had a sense of fear wash over him.

"Do not fear the howl. They will not hurt you."

"Not hurt me? They sounded hungry!" Josh was nearly about to panic. His heart pumped faster in his cheats as if it were a drum being beaten on. Each pumps rushing his blood faster through his veins causing him to feel the urge to run.

"What many men seek is often right under their noses. They have heard their tale and have answered," Swooping Crow said closing his eyes.

"Who? Who have answered!"

"The Winter Spirits."

Josh jumped up. Quickly shutting the recording device off he said.

"Well, it was nice meeting you and all Mr. Crow. But I really have to get back. Thank you for the lovely tale." He backed out of the tent and looked around at the woods around him. No one was in the camp and he noticed it was dark out. Looking at his watch he saw it was 9:00.

"Holly crap!" He couldn't believe how much time had passed and he rushed to the jeep and quickly hopped in. Turning on the car lights and starting the jeep up, he peeled off into the woods and followed the way he had come.

About a mile into the woods his lights flashed on something white which caused him to screech to a stop. There, illuminated within the lights, were two big white wolves staring at him.

What many men seek is often right under their noses. They have heard their tale and have answered Swooping Crow's voice rang through his head as he looked at the white wolves. One with the brightest blue eyes and one with a blue and green eye. Both wolves looked at him with a knowing look and both threw their heads up in a howl. The sound vibrated through his body and rang in his ears, only this time, it wasn't as scary as it had sounded before.

When they stopped howling and looked at him once more, they vanished into the underbrush without so much as a movement in the bushes or another sighting of their white pelt. Josh sat there frozen in place. His car lights still shinning in the spot where the wolves used to be. He had actually seen the Winter Spirits. Snapping out of the daze which he had fallen into, he peeled off into the woods and just barely made it in time to get the jeep back.

"Cutting it a little close Mr." the old man said over his glasses as I handed him the key.

"I know and I'm sorry. I just lost track of the time and had the most incredible sighting ever."

"Well, just don't do it again," the man said as if he knew he would be returning.

Publication Date: 04-20-2014

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Dedication:
This is a dedication to my love of wolves and the hopes that someday, this land will be roamed with many packs of wild wolves like the good old days where they were the dominant predator and we worshiped them.