Jasmine

THE LONG MOURNFUL howl of a wolf wakes me in the night.

The moon is full.

I hear coyotes all the time, but I’ve never heard a wolf before. I’m not sure how I even know it’s a wolf, but I do. Living in an RV, it often sounds like animals are close—just outside the thin walls. I usually love it, but tonight a shiver runs up my spine.

Even though it’s warm out, I pull the covers up to my chin.

I hear a stick crack beneath my window. The sound of panting.

Oh goddess, the wolf is right outside. A real wolf, not a spirit animal.

I sit up and pull the curtain aside to peer out. The moonlight clearly illuminates a giant black wolf with glowing amber eyes. He’s sniffing the ground around my RV.

My heart skips a beat.

Another wolf howls, farther away. The black wolf lifts its head and cocks its ears to listen. It stands still, waiting. Listening.

I hold my breath.

Another ho