Read Online A Wolf Story by James Byron Huggins - Free Book Online Page A

his spirit compelled to reach out, embracing the wounded creature.
    He la y down again beside the old hare.
    Aramus knew that soon the sun would rise and burn away the storm, but the last of the night remained. He shook his head, sensing defeat. He had almost made it to the morning, hidden silently within the snow. And now he was faced with a deadly confrontation that he had done his best to avoid. The dawn seemed too far away as he searched the mist for the horror he feared approaching. He looked again upon the hare.
    Ice slowly formed across the wolfs back as he protected the small creature, but the cold was forgotten as Aramus wrestled with the terrible decision of whether to abandon his post and suffer defeat in the Watch, or remain and face the beast that might come upon them before dawn.
    Aramus knew that his father would never leave the Watch; not for fear of the storm, or the cold, or any beast that lived.
    Countless times Aramus had seen Gianavel stand in the gap, defending the pack against lion or bear. Often the battles had been fierce beyond endurance, but the great wolf had never retreated, had never fallen beneath the terrible onslaught. And in the end, he had always prevailed; wounded and scarred, but saving the lives of those who needed him. Aramus had learned much from his sire, for his father was one who lived as he spoke.
    Thinking of his father's size and strength, Aramus studied the old hare's quiet form, wondering how the small creature could even begin to resist Baalkor.
    "I have met this thing before," said Aramus. "Not long ago I saw something in the dark. I wanted to run. But I was too scared. Then my father came and rescued me. And if he hadn't, I would have died. How can you be so brave when you know that it's coming for you?"
    The hare smiled weakly, his tired face settling in familiar lines. He seemed stronger now, recovering slowly beneath the warmth of Aramus's silver coat, sharing the heat of the wolf ’s massive form.
    "Flesh is flesh," he said. "I'm afraid, too, sometimes. It is the way of things. But as you grow older, strength comes, little by little. Endurance is gained by enduring. My strength has become greater with each struggle I have faced in my long, long life."
    Then the hare began to speak again, and ceased. His old eyes looked into the forest, or the night or something beyond them both. And for a long moment he focused on the dark. Then his eyes seemed to laugh, though Aramus could not be sure.
    "So much love , yet you do not know," he said, nodding lightly. "It would be a great honor, one day, perhaps in a world beyond this, to know your father. He is one who loves much, and lives his love."
    Suddenly the hare stiffened, brown eyes shut tightly, and the old, scarred face was a reflection of agony as he suffered from some abysmal, mortal pain.
    Aramus waited, watching sadly.
    Again a demonic howl split the sky, closer than before.
    Aramus lifted his head and listened. The dark sound was moving, even as it haunted the night. The beast was coming faster now, no longer confused by the hare's final tricks to evade its pursuit. Aramus listened nervously until the victorious voice vanished from the mist, dreading that it would be upon them all too soon. Then he turned his attention to the hare.
    The warm brown eyes were closed, and beneath the blood that masked its wounds, Aramus could not discern whether he still breathed. Then the hare weakly raised his head, and spoke with a ghostly stare.
    "Leave quickly. The greater danger ... is yours. It will destroy you, too, at the last. But he will not kill you outright. He will want to destroy your spirit and leave your flesh alive, if he can. That is the greater victory. He will frighten you, and tempt you with dark pleasures, hoping you will prefer evil desires over suffering for what is right. If you stay, you must not listen to him. He is too strong for you. Choose whom you will serve by faith. That is all you need to know. It is the