For over an hour, the wolf begged to be set free.

Through its minimal language it pleaded to feel the wind and sun on its fur, but the cat's words had struck something within me. I realized that, as shaming as it was to hear, I had been letting the wolf tumble frivolously for too long.

Now it had become a spoiled child, and it threw a tantrum of whimpers and howls that rang in my head and interrupted my thoughts.

You unfair! it growled. Me move fast. You let me!

"You've had time for fun," I argued out loud, "but we need to start thinking about serious things, like where we're going to live and what life we're going to have."

Me have good life. Me play.

"No. You've played for days."

It fun!

"We should probably start developing your language, too."

Me run fast!

"You do."

More fast than boy. Feel good?

I smiled. "It does. But there will be time to run in the future."

Trapped.

"We won't get trapped again."

Fight traps.

"Yes, you fight very well. You're the Champion of the Pit, aren't you?"

Inside, I could feel the wolf beaming with pride. I sighed, trying to collect my thoughts to form a plan. 

"I don't care what the cat says, we need to look for Credence."

There was a pause before the wolf answered.

Me come out when want. Boy say no, me eat gift.

"That won't be a nice thing to do. If you eat the tapestry, I'll be angry and we won't be friends."

Sadness took hold of my heart. My words hurt the wolf's feelings. I expected it to throw another fit, to rail against me and struggle to break free, but after another moment of silence it whispered:

Me want friend boy.

"I want to be friends with you, too. But sometimes we have to work instead of playing."

It struck me how strangely similar to Pa I sounded. How many times had he said those words to me? To a child's mind, the idea that life had to be balanced between work and play seemed unfair. I was uneased by my sternness, but it was quickly replaced with pride. If Pa had been there, I know he would have been proud of me, too.

Me help boy.

"And I will let you play a little at the proper time."

No much little.

I laughed. "No, not too little."

How me help?

"With your speed, you can cover twice the distance I can. You can start by helping with that."

The wolf raced through the trees, and to its credit it did not pause to sniff potential food or writhe on the ground. I urged it to remember the scent that brought us to the tavern, and search for any trace in the air or on the ground.

After a few hours there was nothing to be found by either ear or nose, and the wolf stopped to catch its breath.

No good, it said and I could feel its despair for having failed the task I'd given.

It might take a long time, I assured it, we've just started.

Too long?

It will feel that way sometimes. But you are helping, I promise. Rest for a moment and don't think lowly of yourself.

It felt odd to be the parent in our conversation. The wolf's defeat was strong and I was desperate to comfort it. The animal snorted and laid flat on the ground, every so often whimpering between pants of hot air. Distracted by simultaneous hopelessness and soothing, neither of us picked up on the rustling of leaves and the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Dear wolf, are you all right?"

The wolf lifted its head and saw a woman wrapped in a cerulean cloak. Her young face was pretty and her smile was kind.

But the wolf and I were used to beauty masking an enemy.

"No animal," the wolf replied as its hair raised. "Me wolf. And boy."

"A boy? What's his name?"

The wolf forgot and I reminded it.

"Boy Josiah."

"Josiah," she repeated. "Can he hear my words?"

The wolf nodded. Without warning, she reached down and placed her hand on the animal's mane. Calm washed through me. A thought passed from my mind to the wolf, that the woman might have just used an enchantment on us, but my companion was not convinced. The stranger ran her fingers through the fur and grinned when the wolf released a sigh. There was no fear in her expression, and she did not hesitate like everyone else when faced with the intimidating animal.

But I didn't know this woman, and her unusual courage struck me as dangerous. If she was not afraid, that meant she was powerful.

"Poor creature," she whispered, "have you been cursed?"

"No know."

"Are you thirsty?"

She produced a small bowl from her cloak and waved her hand over it. The bowl filled with water and she held it under the wolf's snout. Before I had a chance to warn it, the wolf plunged into the bowl and furiously lapped every last drop. When it was empty the bowl was filled again, and the wolf was no less eager to dive in for another drink.

"You no fear?" the wolf asked when its thirst was slaked. "Me monster."

"You're hardly a monster," she said with a gentle scoff. "I'd say you're a gorgeous and fierce young wolf."

"People fear. Hate me. Even if me part boy."

"People can be cruel, even to their own kind."

I watched their interaction, waiting for the moment when the woman would give herself away and prove a villain. That moment never came, and she continued to scratch behind the wolf's ears while conversing with it.

"Find sister," the wolf said, suddenly remembering our goal. "Mean lots to boy."

"Is she in trouble?"

The wolf didn't know how to answer, so it gave a huff and lifted itself to its feet.

"I could help you find her."

I was suspicious of her quick offer, and urged the wolf to speak my thoughts.

"What price?"

"Price?"

"Always price. Me bite you?"

She shook her head. "No, I don't think so. If I was a wolf, I don't think I'd ever wish to turn back into myself. Could I not just be a kind person?"

The wolf snorted and she laughed at its rudeness.

"I live in a cottage close by. If you like, I'll lead you to it and speak to the boy there. I'm no powerful witch, but I might have a trick or two that could help."

"Boy talk here."

"He could, but I think he'd be embarrassed to converse while naked. And as I don't see any clothing nearby, I imagine he would prefer having something to wear."

The wolf was ready to follow her, but I warned it not to be gullible. The woman sensed my skepticism and held a finger to her lips, mimicking concentration.

"If you insist I take a price for helping...your price will be....let's see...your price will be to catch two rabbits for dinner."

When she smiled she looked like an angel, and I was sure she had entranced us. She waved her hand over the bowl and offered the wolf another drink.

"Do we have a deal, Josiah?"

At the time there was no way of knowing it, but I had just met my first love.