Raised By Wolves

Chapter 4:The Wolf Parents And Their Human Child

Their den, nestled amidst the towering trees, provided shelter and warmth for their unique family. But as Lucia grew and thrived, the time came for her to venture beyond the safety of their cave and into the world of the pack.

Months had passed since Lucia's arrival, marked by moments of joy and challenges alike. The alpha, Ragnar, had faced opposition from within the pack, wary of the human child's presence. To protect Lucia, Ragnar and his mate, Luna, had advised Agatha and Fenris to keep her hidden away until she was strong and able to integrate into the pack fully.

Within the confines of their den, Lucia blossomed. She learned to walk just like on a sturdy wolf paws, her laughter echoing through the cavernous space. Agatha and Fenris watched with pride and love as their love for Lucia grew even more, yes, she's a human, simple and fragile, however she had a courage and braveness of a wolf to try new things. They know, she's going to be a great adult someday.

It was a sight to behold, seeing Lucia grow and blossom before their eyes. With each passing day, she seemed to shed the remnants of her former life and embrace the wild spirit that coursed through her veins.

"Careful my dear." Agatha said, while teaching Lucia to balance her steps as she walked streams beside their house. At the age of 5, she learned how to swim, fish, know the basic herbs and plants that are edible and are not. Move quickly and ran fast if she needed to. Her once clumsy steps transformed into graceful strides, her movements fluid and instinctual, like those of a true member of the pack.

Agatha and Fenris marveled at Lucia's progress, her natural human side with the wolf sides they teaching her merging seamlessly into one. She moved with the confidence of a creature born to the forest, her senses attuned to the rhythms of nature that surrounded them.

As Lucia's laughter filled the den, Agatha and Fenris exchanged a knowing glance, their hearts overflowing with love for the child they had chosen as their own. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, they knew in their hearts that they had made the right decision in bringing Lucia into their lives. She seems not different with the wolf cubs in the pack. She's a human, however, wolf cubs are different too. Some can transform into a wolf at age of one, and others can transform back to their human form. Just like the son of the Alpha, Nicholas. But mostly, of the cubs can't transform yet until the age of nine. That's why the female mate should remain in her human from to teach the proper ways and care for their young ones. Just like what they did.

But for Lucia to be used to wolves, Fenris have to transform sometimes, so Lucia would get used to it. They can still remember the first time Fenris transformed into one. They though Lucia would be scared of him, but Lucia giggled after seeing him. It feels like, she's really born to be raised by wolves.

With each passing day, Lucia grew stronger and more confident, her bond with Agatha and Fenris deepening with every shared moment. Together, they formed a family unlike any other, bound not by blood, but by love and the unbreakable ties of kinship.

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the den, Agatha and Fenris knew that their journey was only just beginning. With Lucia by their side, they were ready to face whatever challenges the future held, knowing that together, they could overcome anything that came their way.

In the safety of their den, surrounded by the love of her wolf parents, Lucia blossomed into the beautiful, wild creature she was always meant to be. And as the echoes of her laughter faded into the night, Agatha and Fenris knew that their lives would never be the same again.

But as Lucia's curiosity grew, so did the tension between Agatha and Fenris. Agatha, protective and cautious, wished to keep Lucia safe within the confines of their den until she was older and better able to navigate the complexities of pack life. Fenris, however, believed that true acceptance could only come through integration, urging Agatha to bring Lucia into the fold of the pack.

Agatha sat beside Lucia's sleeping form, her eyes lingering on the peaceful expression that graced her daughter's face. Beside her, Fenris watched, his gaze mirroring her own mixture of love and concern.

"She's growing so fast," Agatha murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like just yesterday she was a helpless babe in my arms."

Fenris nodded, his fingers tracing the outline of Lucia's tiny hand as it rested on the furs that covered her. "Indeed. It's remarkable how quickly she's adapting to life with us."

A heavy silence settled between them, punctuated only by the soft sounds of Lucia's breathing. Agatha knew what Fenris was thinking, could feel the tension that simmered beneath the surface of their shared concern for their daughter.

"I think she's ready.. I'm going to talk to Ragnar, about--" he couldn't continue his words, Agatha stopped him.

"Fenris," she began, her voice hesitant, "do you ever worry that we're moving too quickly? That Lucia isn't ready for the outside world just yet?"

Fenris sighed, his gaze flickering from Lucia to Agatha. "I understand your concerns, Agatha. Yes, Lucia is no ordinary child. But she's part of our pack now, and she deserves the chance to experience life as one of us. Ragnar gave us a chance to keep her, be part of the pack, and yes, he suggested that we teach her our ways more and we can join them when we're ready, but it's been years now. We need to connect with them, as we survive for the help of our pack. I cannot keep doing this, to isolate my family from our pack. It's for our own good, but mostly, for Lucia."

Agatha's brow furrowed, her heart aching with the weight of her conflicting emotions. "I know, but...what if something were to happen to her? What if she gets hurt, or worse?"

Fenris reached out, his hand finding hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We'll protect her, Agatha. Just like we always have. But we can't keep her hidden away forever. She needs to learn and grow, to become a part of something greater than herself. And that is becoming one with the pack."

Agatha's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her fears and uncertainties laid bare before Fenris. "I want to believe that, Fenris. I do. But what if I'm not strong enough to let her go?"

"The only way for her to blend with us is to make her experience what it's like to be a cub in the pack." Fenris pulled her into his embrace, his arms wrapping around her in a gesture of love and comfort. "You are stronger than you know, Agatha. And together, we'll face whatever challenges come our way. But we can't let fear hold us back from giving Lucia the life she deserves."

Agatha buried her face against Fenris's chest, drawing strength from his unwavering support. In that moment, she knew that she wasn't alone in her fears, that they would face the future together as a family.

With Lucia nestled between them, Agatha and Fenris shared a silent vow to protect and nurture their daughter, no matter what trials lay ahead. And as the moon cast its gentle light over their den, they knew that their love would guide them through the darkness, illuminating the path that lay before them.

However, Agatha can't really just accept it. The disagreement simmered between her wanting to protect her by just keeping her with them, or the opportunity for her to meet the whole pack, unresolved and heavy with the weight of responsibility. Seeking guidance, Agatha ventured into the depths of the sacred forest, guided by the whispers of the trees to the ruins of the shrine of Wise Sihara.

As Agatha ventured deeper into the heart of the sacred forest, the air grew thick with the heady scent of pine and earth. Shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor below. The ancient trees stood tall and proud, their gnarled branches reaching skyward as if in silent prayer to the heavens.

The forest seemed to pulse with a vibrant energy, alive with the whispers of the past that echoed through its ancient halls. Moss-covered stones littered the forest floor, remnants of a time long forgotten, while the gentle babble of a nearby stream provided a soothing backdrop to Agatha's journey.

Guided by an unseen force, Agatha followed the winding path deeper into the heart of the forest, her senses keenly attuned to the subtle rhythms of the natural world around her. Birds chirped overhead, their melodic songs blending with the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

As she approached the ruins of the shrine of Wise Sihara, Agatha felt a sense of reverence wash over her. The crumbling stone walls loomed before her, adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of ancient battles and forgotten legends. Vines snaked their way up the weathered walls, weaving a tapestry of greenery that seemed to breathe life into the crumbling ruins.

In the center of the clearing stood the remnants of the shrine itself, a weather-beaten structure of stone and wood that bore the weight of centuries past. Moss and ivy clung to its weathered facade, their tendrils reaching out like fingers seeking solace in the embrace of the ancient forest.

As Agatha stepped into the shadowed interior of the shrine, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. The air was cool and still, imbued with the lingering presence of those who had come before. The scent of cedar and sandalwood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest outside.

In the dim light of the shrine, Agatha knelt before the remnants of an ancient altar, her heart heavy with the weight of her doubts and fears. Closing her eyes, she reached out with her senses, seeking the guidance of Wise Sihara, the ancient deity wolf who had watched over her ancestors for generations untold.

And as the whispers of the forest grew louder around her, Agatha felt a sense of clarity wash over her. She touched the ground, and began to chant words to summon the deity.