I rolled to my side and looked at the clock. 2:15 in the morning. I pulled on some sweatpants and stuffed my hair into a hoodie. The shoes I put on were ancient, but whatever. I slipped out the back door, walking down the street until I was a good block from the woods. About 12 acres of land had remained untouched since whoever founded La Push. Old cabins surrounded a medium-sized patch of concrete that stood out amongst the lush grass in the middle of the courtyard. I looked down, where little picture of owls and werewolves, made of colored stones had been set in. I traced my finger over a wolf. Its chocolate brown fur was beautiful, even in stone. I wanted to feel it for real, wanted to see one of these things that apparently watched over us as we slept and protected us from evil spirits.
I heard a branch snap behind me and whirled around. It was there. At the edge of the forest, them same wolf I'd just been tracing with my fingers was staring straight at me. I blinked. Then blinked again. Then blinked harder. Then got an eyelash stuck in my eye, and swatted at my face frantically like an idiot while the giant dog made ridiculous throaty noises that almost sounded like laughing. I was losing my mind. It was huge. Like, enormous. It had to be at least 7 feet tall on its hind legs. Dark-brown fur, matted by the rain, clung to its large body. It gave a slight growl and stepped forward.
Immediately I threw myself backwards, nearly cracking my head on the concrete. The wolf lurched forward as to help, only stopping to a halt when I screamed "No!" at it.
"Uh," I stumbled as it came closer. "What big claws you have?" The wolf started making more laughing noises. Was it listening to me? Maybe I NEEDED to bust my head on that god forsaken concrete. I chuckled nervously and backed away as it continued to come closer. I tried again. "My, what big teeth you have." The wolf pulled its lips back, like it was testing me, teasing me.
The wolf bowed its head slowly and continued moving forward, its face inches from mine.
"If you wanted to, you could tear me a part." I whispered. It nudged me with its cheek. "Please tell me you wouldn't." The wolf nudged me again. Its eyes were brown, large flecks of green littering the iris. I raised my hand to pet the dog, it quickly came closer and sat down in front of me, bowing its head even lower. I bit my lip before burying my face in its fur. It was so real, so breath taking, I felt the adrenaline pulsating through my system.
This was gonna be a story to tell my kids. Gee Mom, tell us about the time you cuddled in the rain with Sasquatch's pet dog. The wolf nudged me again, as I'd stopped petting it in my trance.
"Nudge," I smiled, stroking his fur. "That's your name. Is that okay?" I asked, staring at it. The wolf showed its teeth again before nuzzling into my chest, the rain soaking both of us.