Morning in the Woods

Omaki stepped carefully over fallen branches as she made her way deeper into Wishing Woods. The morning sun filtered through the tall pine trees, creating dancing patches of light on the forest floor. She loved coming here before anyone else woke up.

A small stream bubbled nearby, and she knelt beside it to splash cool water on her face. The forest felt different today, almost like it was waiting for something.

A rustling sound made her look up. Through the trees, she caught a glimpse of silver fur moving between the shadows. Her heart jumped with excitement. Wolves! She had always dreamed of seeing them here, but they usually stayed hidden.

Omaki stood very still, hardly breathing. The rustling grew closer, and she could hear soft paws padding on the pine needles. More than one set of paws.

She pressed herself against a large pine tree, peeking around its trunk. Three wolves emerged from the underbrush, their gray coats gleaming in the dappled sunlight.

The Silver Voice

The largest wolf stepped forward, her silver coat shimmering like moonlight. Omaki held her breath as the wolf's amber eyes met hers directly.

"You smell like one of us," the wolf said, her voice clear and musical in Omaki's mind.

Omaki gasped and stumbled backward against the pine tree. The wolves could talk! No, that wasn't right. She could understand them somehow.

"I'm sorry," Omaki whispered. "I didn't mean to spy on you."

The silver wolf tilted her head. "Child, do you not know what you are?"

"What do you mean?" Omaki's heart hammered in her chest.

An elderly woman's voice suddenly rang through the forest. "Omaki! Breakfast time, dear!"

The wolves' ears perked up. The silver one stepped closer, lowering her voice. "That human family has raised you well, but they are not your blood. You are wolf-born, little one. My daughter."

Omaki's world tilted. "That's impossible."

"Come to the clearing by the old oak at sunset," the silver wolf said. "We have much to tell you. But know this - soon you must choose between two worlds. There may be no path back once you decide."

The woman's voice called again, closer now.