A Choice (One Shot)

A Choice

Rain was beating the Earth, and bending its trees to the ground. Surrounded by an immense forest lies a cabin that has stayed intact for thousands of years; through countless wars and battles. The cabin creaks and moans. Inside lives a husband and his wife, who is with child. Smoke billows from the brick chimney, thick and heavy. All the lights in the cabin are lit by candle light, of course. Lightning strikes nearby and all is silent except for the howling wind, vicious rain and the creaking cabin. A small stone path leads to a porch attached to the cabin.

Down below, a four legged creature runs from the forest and onto the stone path. It's eyes were glowing bright and its fur as white as snow. As it ran on the stone path, it would stop and stare back at the tree line from where he came, only to continue running a few seconds later. Lightning struck once again, setting a nearby tree on fire. The tree fell across the path, forcing the creature to jump over it. The creature came to a halt as it finally reached the cabin door. As light as a feather hitting the ground, it took its paw and scratched the door three times and waited.

Soon a man opened the door and stared at the white creature in shock and concern. Lightning illuminated the darkness; a wolf was sitting in front of the man, stealing glances behind to the tree line. The man stepped aside, allowing the wolf entrance.

"Tim? Who is at the door?" came a soft voice of the man's wife. He shut the door before answering her.

"Jess, come quick. It's Elijah." Panic ran in his deep commanding voice. She rushed from the kitchen into the living room. She wore a silk gown and a quilt over her shoulders, baring an unborn child of eight and a half months.

"What is it? What's wrong?" her body and voice were shaking tremendously. The cabin creaked louder before a thunderous boom shook the Earth. The room filled with the gruesome noise of breaking bones.

A naked man stood before them , his white hair at chin length. His eyes were a light maroon. While the men stared, sharing a silent conversation, Jess spoke, "Well, what is it? What's happened?" she stepped in front of Elijah, her choice shaking and her arms crossed. Elijah kneeled before her, for she was the Alpha's mate.

"The Mafi pack attacked us; destroyed my pack. Every last one," this was when Jess saw his wounds, "Except for me, my mate and one of our children." Jess left the room.

"What else do you know, Eli?" Tim commanded.

"You have to go to your pack and ready them. They want to overthrow you."

"Do you know when?" Tim's voice was stone.

"No." He replied with difficulty. "Tim, they used wolfsbane and silver." Confusion filled Tim's features. Jess returned with a large medical suitcase. She cleared the table with one arm stroke, a butler following her.

Eli, lay on the table." She commanded. He did as she said. Tim turned left and gazed out of the window. A battle flew through his vision. He saw himself die, but he did not know by whose hand. If he lived... He knows now what he has to do to protect this race. Tim was oblivious to Elijah's cries as he thought. The sound of the wind, rain, thunder and popping bones filled the cabin once more. A magnificent black wolf stood in the cabin. Compared to the white wolf, he was giant.

"Tim," Jess said to the wolf, her hands covered in blood, " call his wife and son, he said they are at the tree line; and please, be careful." Tim walked up to her and nudged her belly where their child rested. He backed away, his proud frame regaining its authoritative posture. Jess stopped to open the door for him. Stepping out onto the porch, he howled. A medium rusty wolf and a small grey pup appeared, running up the store path.

Tim sprinted west, deadly fast in the direction of his pack's village. He knew he would die protecting his pack as well as many others, which included his mate and child. But if that was what it took to keep them all safe and to ensure them a future, so be it...