2

I woke up the next morning to the sound of my mother calling my name. I groaned and rolled over, burying my face in the pillow. I didn't want to get up. I just wanted to stay in bed all day.

"Tarra! Get up! You have chores to do!" my mother yelled from downstairs.

I let out a sigh and sat up, rubbing my eyes. I didn't want to do chores. I wanted to stay in bed and wallow in my self-pity. But I knew I didn't have a choice. I had to do what my mother said.

I got out of bed and quickly got dressed before heading downstairs. My mother was standing in the kitchen, her hands on her hips as she glared at me.

"What took you so long?" she demanded.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I didn't sleep well last night," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

She let out a huff and shook her head. "Well, you're up now. Get to work. The laundry needs to be done, and the floors need to be swept. And don't forget to make breakfast for your father and sister."

I nodded and walked over to the sink, turning on the water and grabbing the dirty dishes. I washed them quickly before moving on to the laundry. I hated doing chores, but it was better than being stuck in my room all day.

I finished my chores quickly and made breakfast for my family. My father and sister came downstairs just as I was finishing up, and they sat down at the table without so much as a thank you.

I sat down at the table and ate my breakfast in silence, my mind wandering as I thought about what I was going to do with my day. I didn't want to stay here. I wanted to go back to the woods.

After breakfast, I quickly cleaned up the dishes and made my way outside. I walked towards the woods, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed to get away from here, even if it was just for a little while.

I reached the edge of the woods and stepped into the trees, letting out a sigh of relief as I was surrounded by nature once again. I walked deeper into the woods, my mind wandering as I thought about my dream from last night.

I couldn't shake the image of the black wolf from my mind. He was so beautiful, so powerful. I wanted to meet him. I wanted to know who he was. I needed to find him.

I continued walking, my senses on high alert as I searched for any sign of the black wolf. I didn't know how long I walked, but I didn't find anything. I was starting to lose hope when I heard a rustling in the bushes.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited to see what would emerge from the bushes. I held my breath, my eyes wide as I watched the bushes intently.

A moment later, a small rabbit hopped out of the bushes and looked up at me with its big, brown eyes. I let out a sigh of relief and shook my head. It was just a rabbit. I was being ridiculous.

I knelt down and held out my hand, letting the rabbit sniff me before gently stroking its fur. It was so soft and warm. I smiled as it nuzzled my hand, its whiskers tickling my skin.

I sat down on the ground and let the rabbit sit in my lap, my mind still wandering as I thought about the black wolf. Where was he? Why couldn't I find him?

I lost track of time as I sat there, stroking the rabbit's fur and letting my mind wander. I didn't notice the sun starting to set until it was too late. I quickly stood up and let the rabbit go, making my way back home before it got too dark.

I arrived home just as the sun was setting, and I was relieved to find that my family wasn't home yet. I quickly went up to my room and changed into my pajamas before crawling into bed.

I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep, but my mind was still racing. I couldn't stop thinking about the black wolf. I needed to find him. I needed to know who he was.

I eventually drifted off to sleep, my dreams once again filled with images of the black wolf. I hoped that one day I would find him, that he would be my mate. But until then, I would just have to keep searching. I wouldn't give up. I couldn't give up.

***

The next few weeks passed by in a blur. I spent my days doing chores and wandering the woods, searching for any sign of the black wolf. But I never found anything. It was like he didn't exist.

I was starting to lose hope when my sister burst into my room one morning, a huge smile on her face.

"Tarra! You won't believe what happened!" she exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, trying to wake up. "What is it, Lynn?"

"I'm going to a mating ball!" she squealed, clapping her hands together. "Alpha Michael is hosting! Isn't that amazing?”