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A branch snapped at the far corner of the yard. My pencil stilled along with my breath. I waited, listened. When I heard nothing else, I resumed sketching. Clearly, I was still a little jumpy given what happened at the waterfall. I probably imagined it.

Focusing back on the page, I shaded the trunk of one tree, rubbing it with my thumb to smudge the pencil and create depth in the bark.

Another branch snapped. Closer this time. Nope, I didn’t imagine it.

A squirrel probably rummaging for food. Still, I paused again, straining to identify what made the noise. My ears buzzed in the silence. A weird sensation tugged at my chest like a fist squeezing and pulling at my heart.

I placed the sketch pad and pencil on the table and stood at the top of the stairs, scanning the yard. Nothing…My breath hitched. At the far end, surrounded by darkness and almost completely hidden between the trees, a set of ice-blue eyes stared back at me.

I’d know those eyes anywhere.My wolf.

“Thor,” I whispered. The name I gave him for his protection, bravery, and strength. In one summer, he healed the heart I hadn’t known was broken.

But how was Thor still here fifteen years later? I thought wolves lived for only five or so years. I descended the stairs quietly and slowly, so I didn’t spook him. Would he recognize my scent? Would he trust me?

I inched closer.

Thor whined and retreated a step, almost hesitant for me to approach. I stilled. Maybe this wasn’t him. Maybe this wolf was related to mine, which explained why the eyes were the same shade? A pup or more likely its pup’s pup?

No. Even knowing the unlikely odds, that tugging in my chest told me this wolf was my Thor. My heart squeezed. Fifteen years ago, he was the only thing that got me through the summer. Our unconventional friendship made me feel safe, protected, loved. Whole.

I’d give anything to feel that again.

Slow and steady, I crept closer, my palm held out in front of me.

This time, Thor’s whine morphed into a low rumble. A warning. But he didn’t retreat.

A few feet away, I crouched on the dewy grass. Just like the first time we met, I ventured halfway. Now it was his turn. I hoped he recognized me as I did him. Though, even if he didn’t, I’d be content sitting here at a distance admiring his glossy black fur. I wished I’d brought my sketch pad. I considered darting back for it, but with my luck the sudden movement would scare him, and he’d bolt into the forest.

One black front paw moved forward, stepping from the tree line. I held my breath. Thor’s gaze met mine. Recognition tickled the back of my mind. Those eyes. I’d seen them before, not just on him, but somewhere more recent. Where?

When I sensed he wanted to come closer, I held out my open hand. “Come here, Thor.”

Silently, he drew nearer. My heart pounded behind my ribs.

As soon as he was within reach, Thor lowered his head and whined. A sound so familiar, it resonated through my blood, curling around my heart. That tugging sensation intensified.

I reached out and smoothed my fingers through the bristly, black fur at his neck. Thor leaned into my touch.

“I’ve missed you. So much,” I whispered.

A sense of belonging spread through my chest, right to the center of my soul. My shoulders sagged under the weight of all the decisions I’d made leading me to this moment. Why did I stay away from here? I could’ve come back to Woodland Falls whenever I wanted. Joan would’ve welcomed me with open arms. Instead, I avoided it. Why?

Fear of failure? Disappointment? I didn’t know. Until Joan, the only family I ever loved did nothing for me in return. I hated the thought of becoming my mother, but even more so, it scared me to want something more from Joan. Instead, I made do with the memories of how perfect that one summer was until my mother returned and took it all away.

Joan must’ve known. Otherwise, why else would she include the condition in her will? She wanted me to not just find peace here, but find myself, discover who I truly was out from under the dark shadow of my mother.

Not that I’d seen my mother in what felt like forever. I didn’t even know where she was these days. She’d never bothered to track me down once I left.

Thor nuzzled my face, licking my cheek, bringing me back to the present. I giggled, really giggled for the first time in ages. I’d missed this. Until this moment, I hadn’t realized how much.

“I can’t believe it’s you. How is this possible?”

I scratched him behind the ears in the exact spot he used to love.

“Have you waited for me this whole time?” Pressure caved in on my ribs. “I’m sorry I left. I didn’t even say goodbye.”

Unshed tears burned in my eyes. Thor whined again, as though sensing the shift in my mood.