Chapter 3: The Sanctuary
1316 Words
The following morning, Clara awoke with a renewed sense of determination. The events of the past two days lingered in her mind—Jacob’s piercing gaze, the haunting howls, and the uncanny pull of the forest. She couldn’t explain it, but something about Ashwood felt alive, as if the town and its surroundings held secrets waiting to be uncovered.
She spent the early hours unpacking the last of her belongings, arranging books on the shelves and filling the cottage with little touches that made it feel like hers. But by mid-morning, the pull to explore became too strong to resist. She decided to visit the wildlife sanctuary Luna had mentioned—a place Jacob was clearly tied to.
The sanctuary was located just outside town, at the edge of the forest. Clara followed a dirt road that twisted through towering trees until it opened into a clearing. The sanctuary itself was modest—a collection of wooden enclosures and small cabins nestled against the backdrop of the woods.
As she stepped out of her car, Clara noticed the tranquility of the place. Birds chirped in the distance, and the soft rustling of leaves carried on the breeze. She approached a gate marked Ashwood Wildlife Sanctuary in carved letters.
A young woman with blonde hair tied in a ponytail greeted her with a warm smile. “Hi there! Can I help you?”
“I was hoping to look around,” Clara said. “I just moved to town and thought I’d explore a bit.”
“Of course,” the woman said, extending a hand. “I’m Sophie. Welcome to the sanctuary. We take care of injured and orphaned animals here, mostly native to the forest. Feel free to look around, but some areas are off-limits to visitors.”
Clara nodded, taking in the surroundings. Several enclosures housed animals in various stages of recovery—an injured hawk perched on a branch, its wing bandaged, while a family of foxes rested in the shade.
As she wandered, her thoughts drifted to Jacob. Sophie seemed friendly enough—maybe she knew him well. “Do you work here with Jacob?” Clara asked casually.
Sophie’s smile widened slightly, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Jacob? Oh, he’s the heart and soul of this place. He’s out in the woods right now, probably checking on the wolves. He’s got a knack for connecting with them.”
Clara hesitated, intrigued. “The wolves?”
Sophie nodded. “They’re his specialty. He’s been studying them for years, helping to preserve their population and protect their habitat. It’s like he understands them in a way no one else can.”
Something about Sophie’s tone hinted at more than admiration—it was as if she were speaking about Jacob with a mixture of reverence and awe.
Clara thanked Sophie and continued exploring, her curiosity growing with every step. The sanctuary felt like a reflection of Jacob himself—wild, mysterious, and deeply connected to the natural world.
She had just rounded a corner when she heard a low whistle behind her. Turning, she found Jacob standing a few feet away, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket.
“You’re getting familiar with the place,” he said, his lips curving into a faint smile.
Clara felt her heart skip a beat. “I hope I’m not intruding. Sophie said it was okay to look around.”
“You’re not intruding,” Jacob said, his tone reassuring. “The sanctuary’s open to everyone. I’m glad you came.”
He gestured for her to follow him, and Clara fell into step beside him as they walked along a path leading deeper into the sanctuary. The woods grew denser here, the trees towering overhead and casting dappled shadows on the ground.
“How long have you been running this place?” Clara asked, breaking the silence.
“About five years,” Jacob said. “I started it after…” He paused, his expression darkening for a moment before he continued. “After I realized how important it was to protect the wildlife here. The forest is changing, and the animals need a place where they’re safe.”
Clara sensed there was more to his story, but she didn’t press. Instead, she listened as he spoke about the sanctuary’s mission and the challenges they faced. His voice carried a passion that was both inspiring and deeply personal.
They reached a large enclosure where a group of wolves lounged in the shade. Clara’s breath caught as she watched the majestic creatures move with a grace and power that was mesmerizing.
Jacob leaned against the fence, his gaze fixed on the wolves. “They’re misunderstood,” he said softly. “People think of them as dangerous, but they’re just… wild. They follow their instincts, their nature. There’s a beauty in that.”
Clara glanced at him, struck by the intensity of his words. There was a vulnerability in the way he spoke, as if he saw a reflection of himself in the wolves.
“Do they ever let you get close?” she asked.
Jacob’s lips quirked into a half-smile. “Closer than most people would think. But it’s about trust. You can’t force it. You have to earn it.”
As they stood there, one of the wolves lifted its head and stared directly at Jacob. Its golden eyes were sharp and intelligent, and Clara could have sworn there was a moment of recognition between them.
Jacob didn’t move, but his posture seemed to shift subtly, as if acknowledging the wolf in return. The connection was brief but profound, leaving Clara with a sense of wonder.
When they finally left the enclosure, Clara couldn’t help but ask, “How did you get so good with them?”
Jacob glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Let’s just say I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods. You learn things out here that you can’t learn anywhere else.”
There was a cryptic edge to his words, but Clara decided not to push. Instead, she let the silence between them settle, comfortable and unspoken.
As they made their way back to the main area of the sanctuary, Jacob stopped and turned to her. “If you ever want to come back, you’re welcome anytime. Just… stay on the trails. The forest can be unpredictable.”
Clara nodded, sensing the weight behind his warning. “Thanks, Jacob. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink around them. There was something magnetic about him, something that pulled her in even as she sensed he was keeping a part of himself hidden.
By the time Clara returned to her cottage that evening, her mind was buzzing with thoughts of Jacob and the sanctuary. The connection between him and the wolves was undeniable, but it raised more questions than answers.
Sitting on the porch with a cup of tea, Clara stared into the forest, the memory of Jacob’s intense green eyes lingering in her mind. She had come to Ashwood seeking peace, but it was becoming clear that the town—and Jacob—held secrets she couldn’t ignore.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the first stars appeared, Clara felt the pull of the forest once again. The air grew cooler, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and earth.
And then, just as she began to relax, the howl came.
This time, it was closer—clearer. The sound sent a shiver down her spine, not out of fear but out of something deeper, something she couldn’t quite name.
Clara closed her eyes, letting the sound wash over her. The forest was calling to her, and though she didn’t understand it yet, she knew her life in Ashwood was only just beginning
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