Dormant Wolf – I Preface

Summary: Since her birth, they had been drawn to each other without even knowing it. After an unexpected meeting, their journey began, leading them towards an unbreakable bond. l Klaroline AU

I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals.

Eleven Years Ago

Her parents were arguing again. There was nothing the seven year old could do to prevent it. The quarrel was loud enough for the blonde child to overhear every insult that left their lips. It was the third time this week.

The daughter of the angry couple snuck out the back door, knowing that her parents were too busy to worry about her location. She knew she couldn't stay in the house much longer. Tears had already sprung in her eyes as she ran down the back garden. Her vision being blurred slightly by the building water her eyes carried. The blonde knew of the small hole in the large bush behind the garden shed. She raced there as fast as her little legs could manage. Thankfully she was small enough to squeeze through the gap to reach the other side which went directly onto the woods. It was where she liked to go to cheer herself up.

Once the girl had emptied the leaves from her golden tendrils, which had got caught on her way through, it didn't take long for her to reach her favourite spot. It was an overgrown meadow filled with long grass and blossoming wild flowers. There was something about running through the field that made her feel elated and joyful. It was her happy place but recently it became quite the opposite.

The tearful child sat under a tree on the edge of the field. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Her head rested on her legs as her blue eyes wept rivers onto the material of her trousers. She feared for her family, for the relationship of her parents. She couldn't imagine a life without them both. Her best friend only lived with her Dad and Grandmother as her Mother had left. She didn't want that for herself.

The child sat there upset for what felt like hours until she heard a twig break in the distance. She gasped softly in fright, raising her fingers to wipe away her tears. She didn't want a stranger to see her like this. More sounds gradually emerged from nearby causing the girl to flick her head around to try to discover who this was.

A few seconds later a dark coated wolf appeared. The child however, saw the four legged creature as a large dog. Her eyes widened slightly watching the animal to see what his intention was. Her heart beat began to increase at the prospect of getting injured by the creature.

The wolf had just been running through the forest at the time, his over sensitive hearing picking up the sounds of a weeping girl. Usually he'd ignore the sound unless he craved dinner. This sound however, was like nothing he'd heard before. The noises leaving her mouth were calling him, he was drawn to her.

The child kept still as the wolf's nose twitched as he smelt her from a distance. He was cautious not to scare her further and soon pulled his muzzle back. He walked around in a circle before settling down on the forest ground beside where the young girl sat.

She soon calmed in the wolf's presence. She wasn't scared nor was she worried for her parents at this moment. After watching the animal closely she hesitantly extended her arm so her palm could stroke his coarse fur. The wolf immediately raised his head a little, closing his dark eyes allowing him to focus on the affection the young girl gave him.

"You like that?" She asked with a soft giggle, feeling calmer now in his presence. Even without the wolf's response the girl knew the answer. She continued to offer the wolf her affection and he enjoyed every moment of it. There was something about being in each other's presence that made the other feel like there was nothing else in the world.

She continued to run her fingers through the wolf's fur for several minutes until the wolf pulled away. He raised his head glancing up at the sky. The young child looked up herself only seeing the tops of the tall trees touch the edge of the sky.

"What's wrong?" She asked softly, somehow sensing his concerned emotion. The girl wished her new friend could speak, trying to communicate verbally would've been easier.

The wolf stood and stepped away from her. She wasn't afraid like before when he entered the area. The large animal trotted away a few metres, keeping himself in the girl's view, before he turned back at her. He was hoping she'd follow him.

"Don't leave," she pouted softly, standing up to walk towards him again. The wolf was greeted by another stroke on his head before he began to walk once more. The child followed him, entwining her fingers in his coarse fur so she could hold onto him.

They walked side by side along the woodland path. The wolf's eyes constantly wondering around the surrounding area to search for any dangers that could approach them. His protective urges growing for the child by the second.

It wasn't long until the child noticed their location. She was on the edge of the woods behind the back garden of her home. The wolf knew where she lived.

"Home," she whispered. Her mind wondering back to whether her parents had stopped fighting. She was unsure how long she'd been gone but hoped that either of them hadn't noticed her disappearance. They didn't like the idea of her venturing out into the woods alone. "Is this goodbye?" She asked softly, hoping that it wasn't the case. She felt as if she'd found a friend in the oversized dog.

The wolf stood beside her, looking at the hole in the bush she had used to escape her property's borders. He glanced across to her once she asked the question. He wanted to answer her in the language she understand but knew it wasn't time. Or whether that time would come at all… He extended his neck to bring their faces closer before he licked her up the cheek.

"Get off!" She squealed happily, giggling away while she extended her limb to push him from her. He obliged with a large grin around his chops. "I hope I see you again," she smiled, giving him one more affectionate stroke.

The girl ran from the wolf heading back towards the small gap that her young figure could squeeze through. Her golden hair bouncing in the wind behind her. She glanced behind her at the wolf who was still watching her departure. She raised her palm, and waved it in his direction. The wolf bowed his head a little in response which triggered her lips curled. She was pleased that he could understand her and was willing to attempt at communication.

Once inside her property she headed straight for the back door, opening it to be immediately greeted by her Mother. Rain began to clatter down on the roof. The child realised that the dog had realised that it would soon rain heavily and she would get drenched if she stayed in it. He was keeping her safe and dry.

"Caroline sweetie, where have you been?" Her Mother inquired. "You better have not been in the forest again, you know how your Father and I feel about that."

"But I met a dog!" The young girl grinned, wanting to tell her parents all about her new friend.

"Did you now? Well you can tell us all about your adventure over dinner," her Mother placed a hand on her daughter's back encouraging her into the dining room where her Father was sat. They seemed to have finished their argument…but their daughter could still sense tension in the air.

Whenever Caroline could get out, she'd explore the forest again searching for her new friend but he was nowhere to be found. One night she cried herself to sleep, missing the wolf she had grown attached to.

A/N This is an idea that I created with a friend and just had to start writing it. I hope you enjoyed the prologue! Please let me know your thoughts in a review, I'd love to hear from you.