The bakery was quiet because today the bakery was closed. Outside, the wind stirred softly through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and earth into the small kitchen.
Inside, Eli moved carefully, a gentle rhythm in his hands as he wiped down the counter because Eli tries making different sweets. and checked on the supplies. His gaze kept drifting back-------always back------to the massive wolf curled in the corner to the room, breathing shallow and uneven.
It had been three days since Eli had dragged the injured animal inside.
Three days of uncertainty.
Three days of watching, waiting--------wondering in the wolf would wake up and ''what will happen'' why am dragged wolf inside home ahhhhhhhhh if he woke up and eat nooooooooooo
Eli didn't know what to make of it. His heart twisted every time he saw the bandages he'd wrapped around its wounds, every time he heard the soft, almost painful sound of its breathing.
''Why do I care so much?''
He shook the thought away and turned back to his task----washing a small bowl of berries he'd found the market earlier that morning. His hands trembled slightly, but he kept moving, trying not to let the strange, heavy feeling settle in his chest.
Then---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A soft sound behind him.
Eli froze.
Slowly, he turned--------------his breath catching. Eli trembled and shaking like leaf.
The wolf was awake.
Those golden eyes, fierce and burning, locked into him. Eli heart hammered in his chest. Fear surged up, thick and could, as the wolf gaze sharped---------instance, wild, dangerous.
The air felt like it could shatter.
He took a shaky step back; his hands still wet from the berries. ''If this wolf attempts to tear me to pieces....'' n-n-noooooo?
But then----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The wolf eyes shifted. They flickered--down the floor, then to Eli trembling hands, then back up.
The tension in the air loosened. Just a little. The wolf let out a low, pained huff, its body sagging against the blanket as if even growling had drained the last of its energy.
Eli stunned.
It wasn't attacking. It wasn't even moving much, just.....watching him. His breath trembled as he whispered, almost to himself, ''You can't hurt me, I've saved your life.''
The wolf ears flicked, but it made no sound.
The kitchen felt impossibly small, the air charged with something unspoken. And then--------carefully, tentatively -----Eli took a step closer.
''I--------um....I bought some water. And some food. I'm not sure if you eat berries or if you're more of a.....meat kind of guy,'' he muttered, the words tumbling out in a nervous rush.
The wolf didn't respond, but it didn't growl either. It just lay there, its eyes half ------closed, its breath ragged.
So, Eli did what left right.
He set the small bowl of berries nearby, then reached the raw chicken he'd aside----awkwardly placing it on a plate like he was serving dinner to guest.
''I don't know why I'm talking to you,'' Eli whispered, voice trembling. ''But it feels less scary when I do.''
The wolf eyes opened again-------just a silver of gold. And for a heartbeat, Eli swore there was something.......human in that gaze. Something knowing.
His chest tightened.
He turned away, wiping his damp hands on a towel, pretending he didn't feel like the world had titled slightly off its axis.
Later that night, when the Storm outside grew heavy and the rain lashed against the windows, Eli sat on the floor nearby-------knees hugged to his chest, watching the wolf breath in the dim light.
He felt small. Lost.
But somehow....not alone. The wolf didn't move much, except for the occasional flick of its ears or the soft twitch of its tail. But its presence filled the room like a silent, wild promise.
Eli didn't understand it.
But he felt it.
Felt in the was his heart ached when he looked at the bandages.
Felt in the way the wolf seemed to listen -------even in its pain.
Felt in the quiet, heavy air between them.
As the rain softened into a steady rhythm, Eli let out a long, shaky breath. ''Stay,'' he whispered, not sure if he meant it for the wolf or himself.
Maybe both.
He didn't know how long this would last.
But for now------this quiet, fragile almost-------it was enough.