The Taming

The paw lifted up, but quickly fell back into the print it had previously made in the dust of the ground. Instead of pushing the animal forward, the large paws and legs held the young creature firmly in place. Fear bristled fur, hackles raising high over a tense form whose golden eyes watched the other tentatively.

Folded ears pointed backwards on a lowered head. It looked one way, then the other. The ways were clear, wide open and inviting. She could clearly see the tree line, a place of towering safety, what would normally only be a short run away. Yet, in that moment, it seemed to be getting farther and farther away each time she glanced at it. The fear of running crawled through her flesh, creating notable spasms among her fur, as if she were trying to be rid of an insect. It was also causing a numbing sensation that stilled her powerful form.

It was a question of: what if this creature attacked once her back was turned? The young wolf didn’t know if her paws would carry her fast enough to get away safely. She was swift, but was it enough?

This time the lifted paw replaced and pushed backwards, though only a bit. Cautious in her movement, the wolf stopped very quickly as the other creature, tall on its two legs, made to follow. It was only a slight jerk of movement, but enough to attract the she-wolf’s attention and make her stop. A flash of panic struck her and she froze in place.

It didn’t make sense to her that this creature should be intimidating, but she stopped all the same. The nearly furless, clawless creature halted her without even baring its flat teeth. Unthreatening, except for the sense that it gave off. Something imposing. Commanding. How could such creatures have such power?

The breeze combed through the wolf’s pelt and stirred the grass and dusted ground between them. She noticed the human’s coverings seemed to shift with the breeze as well, momentarily creating the illusion of extra size, but the coverings soon fell back into place. Motionless and unthreatening. Regardless, the threat was still there. A suppressive air fell around the wolf, who appeared to crumble ever so slightly.

Front paws began their lifting and replacing again and one print became a muddled mass of prints. Her tail held fairly high, her left paw took a step sideways, the rest of the body following. The action was slow, but then she took a quick step. This stopped as the human followed the movement again. She retreated, heart beating in her sensitive ears.

A fearful growl escaped her, her tail lowering the slightest. Muscles tightened before lurching her in the other direction in a desperate attempt to get away, but before she got a few steps, the human snapped into action as well. As she saw the human come at her, she dug her claws into the dirt and skid to a halt.

This time she paced on spot, swerving from side to side, keeping careful watch on the creature blocking her way. A tingling rushed through her that wouldn’t let her stand still.

A snort erupted from her and she shook her head violently as she took several steps back again. Hackles rose and fell as her form began to draw into itself. Those gold eyes looked around again, the pathways there, but every step became one she was unable, not permitted, to take. She felt the eyes of the human staring intently at her own light pelted form, but while her eyes flickered back every once in a while, she still looked for another path. Debated about just running for it, no matter the consequence.

To attack was not in her nature. Even with the apparent threat, her rank told her to back down. Told her to submit or flee. She wasn’t a fighter and certainly wasn’t about to face this alpha with her fangs. The wind whispered its warnings to her and the leaves of the trees seemed to agree. The howl of another in the distance beckoned, told her to move forward, but she remained in place, eyes locked on the human again.

She tried desperately to communicate with the human. To get the human to understand, but her language went unheard, not understood or even perceived by the other. Yet, at the same time, the wolf was unable to understand the human. The same questions kept returning.

Why?

What?

Who?

How?

The human appeared calm, patient, but it was certainly steadfast in not letting her by. The she-wolf was growing frustrated and her sudden whines showed this. Her form ached with the desire to move forward, but still she dared not.

Her tail dropped entirely now and the pressure around her finally lowered her form to the ground, where she kept her head low, watching the human with fearful eyes. She didn’t submit entirely, but it was clear that the human understood this action as it relaxed its own form, but didn’t move away at all. Instead, it seemed to hover all the more, stepping closer.

The wolf drew further into herself as the human came closer and thought of backing away, but remained in place. For what seemed a long moment, wolf eyes stared at human eyes.

Why? Why are you doing this?

The wolf hadn’t been afraid to take a step before this meeting with the human. Now, she waited for the human’s permission. She forced herself to ignore the repeated howl from the trees. Forced herself to not even glance in that direction. Her focus lay with the human.

Only when the human motioned for her to rise and follow did she move again. Pushing herself up slowly, she made certain that she was allowed to do this. When the human didn’t reprimand her or show threat, the wolf followed. Her paw steps felt heavy and burdened as it became evident that the human now controlled her every move. A step on her own was no longer an option.

End