Chapter 7: Arrival of a Stranger
Natalie~
The wolf pup was so light in my arms, almost as if the fear and desperation clinging to its tiny frame weighed more than its physical body. I cradled it close as I pushed open the door to the shelter, my heart pounding in both relief and fear. The warmth of the place was comforting, but the skeptical stares from the staff made my stomach tighten.
"Hey," I began softly, stepping up to the front desk where a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a weary smile sat. She glanced at the pup and immediately frowned.
"You can't bring animals in here," she said curtly, not even giving me a chance to explain.
"It's not just an animal," I protested, my voice trembling. "It's injured and scared. It needs help."
She shook her head, folding her arms over her chest. "This is a shelter for people, not strays. I'm sorry, but we can't take it in."
"But I can take care of it!" My desperation bled into my voice. "Please, just let me keep him with me until he's better."
Her expression softened for a moment before hardening again. "We have rules, Natalie. If we make an exception for you, then everyone will start bringing animals in. We just can't do it."
The little hope I had felt when I ran down here disappeared completely at her words. The little pup whimpered softly in my arms, as if it understood. I turned and left the shelter, my throat tightening as tears stung my eyes.
Back on the streets, I held the pup closer. "Don't worry," I whispered to him. "I'll figure something out. I promise I won't let them hurt you."
I found an abandoned storage shed near the shelter where I could sneak the pup in without anyone noticing. It wasn't much—just a dark, musty space with a leaky roof—but it was better than leaving him out in the open.