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Stone’s secret rendezvous to the forbidden places helped the vegetables grow back.

Not as many elks were now sneaking into the farms and eating the crops, and it positively impacted the ecosystem, especially the river.

The river where he used to play with his pups, and lie around with his mate under the warm sun, enjoying a cool drink.

Flowers, important herbs and whatnot started flourishing, too, especially along the riverbank.

This slowed down the erosion because there were fewer elk trampling around the riverside, which in turn stabilized the soil.

This created new plants for the townsfolk, things they could take and use for medicines and foods, and even trade and sell at the market.

Stone saw that the people seemed happy, and so he was certain now, that they would be appreciative, and leave him in peace to live out the rest of his days.

However, that wasn’t what happened at all.

In fact, with the additional money that the settlers received, they bought more guns and more bullets to hunt foxes, moose, deer, and yes, wolves.

No one seemed to realize though that Stone was the reason this blessing came to pass.

His gift was taken, but not actually received!

He was being hunted, again and again. Each time though, he never got shot.

He stayed away from the river for a few days, until he was so parched, he had to go.

He decided to go in the dead of the night, just to be safe—he hunted, and got him an elk.

After the meal, he went down to the river for a cool drink.

Just as he was finishing up, he heard the click of a gun.

A hunter had been desperate to kill ol’ Stone, purely for braggin’ rights.

This one was purportedly the best hunter in the entire village.

Stone figured this had to be his last night alive.

There was no way that the best hunter of the settlers would miss him.

He decided to give up. To stay uncaring, even about himself.

He didn’t try to run, or duck. He looked the hunter squarely in the eye.

Then the man aimed his gun, cocked it, and shot! Stone was surprised when he didn’t feel pain, or the trickle of blood running from his head or chest.

The hunter shot again. But once more, he felt nothing.

At this, he was even more surprised. The gun rang out for a third time!

But the strangest thing happened. That bullet didn’t hit him, either.

It struck a tree in back of him. The man looked downright confused!

Over and over that hunter aimed right at him, but the bullets hit trees behind him, or nowhere nearby at all.

And in that moment, Stone realized somethin’.

He’d done his best for the folks that ruined his life, taking everything he loved away from him.

Made him into a wolf he no longer recognized.

Regardless, he still tried to help these humans as a way to protect other wolves in the forest. Something unheard of.

He fought his need for revenge, in hopes that he could make this wilderness safe for new wolves to come.

These pale humans had stripped everything away from him, but he gave them all that he had.

They took without so much as a thank you, and now he knew why.

No matter how wise, wonderful, or useful he was, no matter where he hid, or how he tried to stay out of their way, no matter who he was, or what he did, or where he’d come from, or where he’d been, he was still seen as a monster—the big, bad wolf.

Something to be destroyed because he wasn’t understood.

Used, but not appreciated. Something to be vilified, because it made for good stories.

Stone turned away, and walked back into the forest, the hunter still shooting at him with no luck.

After that event, Stone had reached the end of his rope.

He’d had it. Since the hunter couldn’t kill him, that must’ve been a sign that he could seek revenge without fail.

He would go into that village and attack the hunter who’d killed his family, and kill his entire family, too.

He wanted that hunter to feel the same pain he felt.

This was deserved. Hadn’t they taken enough?

He planned it well in his mind, and was satisfied.

Going back to his den, he slept a long, long while.

Besides, he had a big day ahead, and he reckoned he’d need all of his strength.

A good night’s sleep would do the trick.

When he awoke in the morning, he heard something outside of his den.

He figured it was a rabbit, which would make a nice breakfast to help sustain him for his deadly plans later in the day.

But when he peered out to take a look at what was on the menu, he was shocked.

He saw another wolf. A beautiful, dark wolf, with sparkling amber eyes.

‘Another wolf in my territory? How can this be?’ he thought to himself.

Where in the world had she come from? He’d never seen her before.

He wasn’t still dreaming—she was right there, looking at him, for sure.

Her name was Nina, and she explained that she’d come from a different forest because her home had burned down. She, too, was a lone survivor.

Nina strolled into his woodland, like a gift from up above.

She sniffed around his den, noting his scent markings.

They sniffed one another, and they howled, and began to play.

And then, she began to groom him. Nudging him and licking his face.

It was the first time in a long time that Stone was no longer lonely.

He felt worthy. He felt seen. He felt cared about, and most of all, loved.

He was no longer sloth-like. He cared again…

Stone and Nina became mates. They were deeply in love.

They made a home together, and had lots of pups.

He showed her the best places to find food in the forest, and raised his pups to be strong, smart, make good choices, and to enjoy life.

He showed his mate protection and comfort.

Nina showed him how to trust again—and see his own beauty.

Nina took Stone to the river late one night.

With the glow of the full moon, she made him look at his reflection in that river.

She told him that he was beautiful, and to never close his eyes when faced with his own reflection, and never to turn away from himself again.

Don’t become indifferent and uncaring, don’t be sloth-like. Accept yourself, and live in your truth. She taught him how to move on from the past, respect the present, and embrace the future.

The hunter who tried to kill Stone? He told the townsfolk all about what had happened, and claimed that Stone was a devil wolf and needed to be hunted down by a posse.

However, a prudent old settler woman in the village said, ‘No. We shall never try to get rid of the big gray wolf again. He’s chosen by God to live a long, happy life.

Our bullets do not work on him because he is protected by our Lord.

He’s never attacked one of us, and he certainly could have.

Therefore, leave him be. He is the reason why our river flows better now.

He is the reason why our crops have grown, too.

He is the reason we have more plants, and berries by the river.

He has taught the other wolves to leave our chickens and cattle alone.

The wolf and the river belong together.’

And then, she explained to them that an Indian woman had taught her this, and clarified the reasons as to why, and after much prayer, she found it to be true.

The settlers began to notice more and more wolves showing up in the forest. The fear began to grow once again.

The old woman and her husband now, too, said that those wolves were Stone’s mate and pups, and his entire new pack, and they also must not be hunted, shot and killed.

They should not make the same mistake twice, for if they did, the big gray wolf may not turn the other cheek a second time.

For a lonely wolf who is sloven and sad, but indebted to the river, will heed the blessings and resist his urges of revenge.

He will give them grace, and gifts of peace instead.

But a lonely wolf who is drunk on anger and vengeance, that has forsaken the river’s magic, will deliver a season of blood to his tormentors, and that season will never end.

The gift of death will continue until the dawn of time.

Hold the gifts close that the wolf’s existence provides, and receive them with thy whole heart.

Stone, Nina, their pups, and the wolves of their pack lived long lives in that forest. Word has it that when there is a full moon late at night, you look down into that river. And when you get real still, and you just stare for a while, you will see Stone’s face staring right back up at you…

Kage cut another slice from the Red Delicious apple and handed it to Poet.

They were sitting by the river that ran through his property.

It was a nice day. Not too cold, not too hot.

The sun was bright and pretty in the sky, and few clouds masked the view.

Relaxing on a blanket, they’d begun their day with a late morning, and an early lunch.

There was so much to do on his property that he was rarely bored.

He could go swimming. Fishing. Hunting. Relaxing.

Camping. Even take naps here and there. Now, he wished to share it with her, too.

Poet chewed the slice of apple and looked around. She’d been doing a lot of that lately. Taking in the sights.

“It’s so nice here. So peaceful. You’ve got so much land, you could build a couple more houses on here, easily, and still have plenty of land left after that, too. You know what you need?”

“What?” he asked around a mouthful of apple.