My back hits the snow covered ground, a weight falling on my chest. My hands automatically cover my face to defend myself, muscles tensing as I prepare for the worse.

   Nothing happens.

   I peek through my fingers, my eyes landing on the object that's currently pinning me down.
  
   Bright, intelligent red eyes stare down at me from a strong elegant facial structure. A fleecy white coat shimmers in the light from the small fire, that odd aqua blue color swirling in designs around its chest and up its neck to its face.

  The wolf from the day on the cliff - that same wolf I'd spotted following us but never said anything because I thought it was nothing. Is now standing with its large front paws firmly planted on my chest, head looming over mine.

   I find myself staring up in its eyes, even though nature channel specifically said not to stare wild animals in the eye.

  Go me.

  Only instead of finding a savage, starving beast that wants nothing more in the world except to eat me. I find only a steady pair of eyes looking down at me, a touch of curiosity burning deeply inside.

  Nothing to show it wants to rip me limb to limb.

  My mind flashes back to the cliff. How this one seemed different than the rest, how it stayed back from all the action. Observing.

   My eye swing to the right as I spot a sudden movement, Grim unexpectedly running forward as he holds his staff in a threatening gesture above his head as he mumbles words under his breath. That green glow coming back and literally surrounding his body.

   It'd be kinda comical - come on, old man running at you while waving a stick around. Hilarious - if not for the fact there's no reason to be doing it.

  The weight's suddenly off my chest, the wolf getting down in a low front stance as he bares his razor sharp fangs at the charging Grim.

  Without even realizing it, I jump up into a standing position, planting myself in between the two parties.

  Grim abruptly stops at my movement, looking at me with raised brows as he peeks behind me.

   "What in the world, Callon." The green glow evaporates slightly. "That's one of those Delgaran wolves." He waves a hand. "Man eaters. Ring a bell?" He looks at me like I've lost my mind.

   Which maybe I have. It would explain a lot.

  I glance back at the still snarling wolf, a odd sensation growing in my gut. "Obviously." He gives me a dry stare at my sarcastic comment, his head tilting to the side as he seems to examine the wolf behind me.

  He takes a step forward, immediately stopping as the wolf jumps out from behind me, positioning itself right between Grim and I. Hackles up as it continues to snarl at Grim.

  Grim's eyes widen, the staff lowering back to the ground as the green glow completely disappears.

   My own eyes slightly widen as Grim suddenly goes down on one knee - kinda like what he did to me the other day, his head bowing down low in front of the wolf.

  The wolf goes silent, its ears standing straight up on its head as his hackles smooth back down.

   "My apologies," grim mumbles just loud enough to be heard, obviously speaking to the wolf. "I didn't realize." He looks up from his downward position, avoiding eye contact with the wolf.

   It seems to accept his apology, blowing a breath out through its large snout before sitting down on its hind legs.

   So what exactly just happened?

   My head swings over towards Roxie as she slowly stands up from her sitting position, Grim also standing up.

   "Um, excuse me if I sound odd or anything. But what's happening?" Roxie questions, crossing her arms as she looks the wolf over. A spark of aww igniting in her eyes.

   I honestly can't blame her.

  Proud and majestic are pretty much all the words you need to sum it up.

  Its back comes up to just below my hips - still a bit smaller than the other wolves we saw the other day, its long muscular legs made for long runs and jumping, its fury body perfectly shaped, head raised up high on a slim yet thick neck.

  Just think wolf, but add in extra height, a pure white coat with aqua markings, longer fur, larger paws, and bright red eyes.

   Not that much different....

   Grim steps back, keeping his staff low. "It appears Callon has found his spirit animal." He explains. "Or more like his spirit animal found him. However you want to put it." He shrugs, apparently not finding this predicament dangerous anymore.

   Uhhh.....spirit animal? This?

   I take my own step back from the wolf. "Uh no. I said I didn't want one." I stubbornly remind Grim.

   The wolf turns his head back to face me, tilting it to the side as it makes a expression like it just raised an eyebrow at me.

  That's not creepy at all.

  My attention swings back to Grim as he lets a laugh out, retaking his seat by the fire like none of this just happened. "Callon, you don't choose whether you get one or not. The point is, almost everyone has a spirit animal. And once its found you, or you've found it, there's no choosing if you want it or not." He says, making my mind swirl with confusion.

   But I can't have a spirit animal....Besides, I couldn't take it back to the earth. Orenda would flip. Not to mention people would probably kill to have this....wolf.

  "A spirit animal is literally a part of you you never knew you were missing. Just like a soul mate, only on a smaller scale." He continues, digging through his pack for what I can only assume is supper.

  I stare over at him. "So basically you're saying I'm stuck with this." I motion down at the wolf, just now feeling my wet shirt stick to my skin.

   Which was his fault by the way.

   He - I assume it's a he, immediately glares at me, his lip curling back to reveal large sharp teeth.

   "I'd be careful with what you say, Callon." Grim yells over at me. "I've already pointed out that most creatures here are smarter than your average animal, and Delgaran wolves are among the smartest and deserve the utmost respect." He warns, still not seeming very concerned.

    He seems to nod at Grim's words, and if wolves could smile, then that's what he'd be doing.

   I give him a flat stare, oddly not feeling a hint of fear towards him.

   "How come you know so much about Delgaran wolves if you said no one's ever lived to tell the tale?" I ask, walking around the wolf as I make my way back to the dying fire.

   I crouch down in front of the fire, my back facing Grim. "That's true. We've learned what we know from long told legends and myths. Just like earth with some of their stories." He whispers something under his breath, surprising me when he lightly places his hand on my now wet back.

  There's a sudden heat before it completely evaporates.

  He removes his hand, continuing to sort through his bag. I turn my head to face him, raising an eyebrow up. "What'd you do?" I question, reaching around as I rub my back with my right hand.

   Dry. It's completely dry now.

   "Don't want you catching a cold." He jokes. "So I used my energy to dry your shirt." He explains. "It's really quite simple. I'll teach it to you." He takes a bite of bread, making a face from the taste. "Hmm, supplies are going bad." He mumbles to himself.

  I face the fire again. "Uh, well thanks." I poke the fire with a stick, getting a hum from Grim.

   Roxie continues to stare at the wolf. "So is it just going to keep following us?" She asks, glancing over at Grim.

   He nods. "It's Callons' spirit animal. Where he goes, it goes." He absentmindedly answers.

   Roxie furrows her brow, obviously thinking about the same thing I was just thinking about - the earth problem.

  I turn my head to the left, my eyes landing on the wolf that's sitting a couple feet away.

  "So if I'm stuck with it, then what am I supposed to call it?" I rub the back of my head, glad my shirt no longer sticks to my skin. "Because just calling it 'it' is getting old real fast."

   Grim scratches his beard, giving me a sly smile. "Why don't you ask?" He waves a hand over at the wolf.
 
   I narrow my eyes at him, wondering what he's getting at. "What? Don't tell me it can speak too?"

   It can't talk....Right?

  Grim shrugs, not adding anything else. I give a incredulous glance over at Roxie, only receiving a confused shrug.

   Ugh. If this makes me look stupid, I'm going to do....something.

   I let a irritated groan out, swinging my head around to face the wolf. "So, what's your name if you're so implied to join this merry band of travelers?" I over dramatically ask, mentally wincing at how stupid this must look.

   He stares at me with examining red eyes, the reflection of the fire dancing around inside. 

   I'm officially a idiot-

   Rhonir.

  The sudden word explodes in my brain like a tuba being blown in my ear, my body jerking backwards from the surprise. I land in the snow - again, my jeans growing damper with each second.

   But I just stare over at the wolf, my eyes wide in disbelief. It nods - an actual nod, its steady eyes meeting mine.

   No way.

   "So," I swing my head over to the right, my eyes landing on Grim. "What is it?" He curiously questions. "And judging from your reaction I'd say you heard something."

  "Uh-I." I stumble out, getting all tongue tied. "It just talked. In my head." I point over at it, scooting backwards a little.

   "That would be because spirit animals can talk, it's just through the mind." He explains - which he's been doing a lot.

   I thought hits me. "That doesn't mean he can just read my mind whenever....Right?" I grimace.

   Grim taps the log with his pipe. "No. You'd have to directly send your thought to him." He rubs his pipe on his cloak. "Though that doesn't mean he won't be receiving any accidental thoughts you might - and will be, unconsciously sending out until you master it."

   Great. Now I've got a mind reading wolf to worry about.

  "And likewise for him." His lips tilt up in a small amused smile. "So, what is it?" He repeats, genuinely sounding curious.

  "Oh, uh, Rhonir....I think." I struggle on the confusing word, making a face. Grim nods, thinking it over for a minute.

   "I believe it's pronounced: rhaw - dîr." He corrects. "Elven for wild/untamed." He oh-so wisely states.

   It goes quiet for a few seconds. "Well that's confusing." Roxie adds, leaning forward as she holds her hands over the slowly dying fire.

  Grim hums in agreement, looking over the fire. "Callon, why don't you go gather some firewood so we can get supper started and get to bed." He suggests. "We've got to head out by first light if we want to make it to town at a decent time." He looks up at the sky, probably reading the time.

  Town: Fresh food, fresh clothes, maybe even a actual bed.

  That one word couldn't sound better to my ears than pizza on a Friday night.

"Oh god. I can't wait." Roxie groans, literally stretching her right leg out over the fire as she warms her foot.

   I stand up, immediately noticing Rhonir - whatever it is, stand up also. I make a face, taking a couple steps towards the small forest edge.

   He copies my steps, stopping behind me as he looks up at my face.

  "Is he going to follow me everywhere?" I yell back at Grim. He smirks, nodding. "Most likely, yes." I roll my eyes at his answer, continuing on.

  Rhonir trots along behind me as we make our way a little past the forest edge, hardly making a sound with his padded feet.

  He takes a seat as I break off some dead limbs, observing my work. I glance over at him. "What? You've never seen anyone gather firewood before?" I pull another limb off, holding my pile with my left arm.

   He just continues to sit there, ears twitching.

   Probably hasn't judging from all that Grim said about his type of wolves. You don't think he's eaten...anyone. Right?

   I turn around, facing him. "So lets get this straight." I glance downward. "You're a male right?"

   He lets a short bark out, and I take it as a definite yes.

   I cradle the limbs in my arms. "And by the way, if I'm stuck with you - which I never wanted you around in the first place, I'm nicknaming you Ron." I state. "Rhonir's too complicated to say." I shrug, walking.

   Though I can't say I've never wanted a dog before. That'd be a lie.

   Ron sits there for a few seconds longer, and I can't help but feel like maybe I hurt his feelings....Do wolves have feelings?

   Toughen up Callon. This isn't your world.....not really.

   I straighten my shoulders, walking forward as I head for our small campsite.

*Time Skip*
 
  "Are we there yet?" Roxie whines, literally dragging her feet along. Grim ignores her for the third time in a row, and I honestly can't blame him.

  We've been walking none stop from early this morning till now - midday, eating lunch on the move.

   Roxie's on her last string, mumbling things under her breath - which I personally think is her cursing me for getting her into this in the first place, every now and then.

  Then she's decided to keep asking that one question every ten minutes.

  So much for that popular, cool headed, smart girl she once was. Though I guess she still is....technically.

   Ron ran off around a hour ago, probably finding Roxie's unnecessary ranting just as annoying as I do.

   She opens her mouth again, but I cut her off as I step through a bush Grim just disappeared behind, Roxie behind me.

  "No. We're not there y-" My words come up short as I find myself stepping down on a dirt path, completely bare of snow.

   Which means it must be used often.

   Grim stands a couple feet to the right, quickly surveying the area before he digs into one of the packs on Arveldis's back.

   I glance around.

  The dirt path seems to cut through the thin forest we were just walking around in, trees following along each side as far as I can see.

  Roxie looks around with large hopeful eyes, a small smile growing on her lips as she realizes what I'm beginning to.

   Civilization.

  Grim pulls a large dark brown cloak out, the materiel worn and frayed. He holds it out to me, immediately digging back in his bag as I take it.

   I hold it out in front of me, glowering at Grim's back. "I thought you said you didn't have any clothes?" I remind him.

   He pulls another cloak out, this one a lighter brown. "I don't have any clothes." He states. "But I've got cloaks."

  Geez. Old men these days.

   "Put them on." He hands the other one to Roxie. "Remember, the royal guards will no doubt be patrolling the area - not to mention the usual guards. So we must not attract any attention." His eyes land on me. "No talking, keep you heads down and the hoods up."

   I pull my arms through, tying the front. Roxie pulls her own on, also tying hers up.

  Both of them hang down past our knees, the only thing on us that looks partly odd being the bottoms of our jeans and our shoes.

  Though their so torn and muddy I doubt anyone will look twice.

  I pull the hood up, the cowl hanging down so it almost covers my eyes. Roxie does the same.

   Grim looks specifically at me. "Don't let anyone see your face. It's a dead give away as I've said before." He instructs.

   He looks around. "Now where's Rhonir? I need you to tell him to stay on the outskirts of town and out of site. No need to scare anyone." He says.

   I open my mouth to tell him he ran off a little while ago, but there's a sudden wave of understanding that hits my nerves like a bulldozer.

  I wince, rubbing my forehead.

  I'm not sure if I preferred the constant migraines, or the now unexplained feelings I apparently get from Ron.

   Some sort of telepathic mojo thing we've got going on. Fun times.

Which Grim assures me I'm not the only one, that Ron in turn feels some of my emotions as well as thoughts.

   Something all spirit bonds have in common unfortunately.

  Though he could've been a little more subtle with passing the message along. "He already knows." Grim looks back at me with surprise. "I must've accidentally sent it through to him or something." I carelessly shrug, hiding what little fascination I actually feel.

   "Yes, I suppose so." Grim oddly mumbles, flipping his own hood up before he begins his walk forward.

   Towards town.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N

  Hey all! So I've updated on schedule! Yay!👏🏻

Questions:

1.) Did you expect it to be the wolf from earlier on? (I know at least one of you did. Good job. 👌🏻)

2.) How'd you like to have Ron as a spirit animal?

3.) Whatcha thinks gonna happen while they're in town? Anything? Nothing?
 
   So I'm excited. I'd started attending karate classes around four months ago, and today I just found out I'll be testing for my yellow belt on Thursday! I'm excited and nervous at the same time XD. 😲

  Anywho...

Next update: Next Week. I've decided that it's been working out where I write a chapter for each of my three books, then I publish them on the same day. (Tuesday or Wednesday) That way there's a update for each of my books weekly.
 
    ⭐️VOTE⭐️!! Comment!

Maggy