The lost girl and the Falling stones

Chapter one.

Chapter 1: Abandonment and Discovery

The wind howled through the forest as the full moon hung high above, casting silver light across the trees. A chill crept through the air, whispering secrets that no one dared hear. A small figure stumbled through the underbrush, her bare feet slipping on the damp earth.

Catherine was only seven when her parents left her in the woods. She didn't understand why.

"Stay here," her mother had whispered with tears in her eyes, her voice trembling. "Don't move, Catherine. Someone will find you soon."

Her father had said nothing. His hand had lingered on her shoulder for a moment too long before he turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving her alone.

The memory haunted her as she wandered deeper into the forest, her heart thudding against her chest. Every snap of a twig made her flinch. Every shadow seemed alive, reaching out to pull her into its depths. She clutched the tattered shawl around her shoulders, her small frame trembling with cold and fear.

"Why?" she whispered into the night, her voice a broken plea. "Why did they leave me?"

The silence gave no answer.

---

Hours passed.

Her legs ached, and her stomach growled, but she pressed on, too afraid to stay in one place. The forest seemed endless, its ancient trees towering like sentinels, their branches forming a tangled web that blocked out the stars.

A soft rustling came from behind her.

She spun around, her breath catching. "Who's there?"

The rustling stopped.

"Please… don't hurt me."

She took a step back, her eyes wide with fear, as a shadow emerged from the trees. It moved silently, its form fluid and graceful. Golden eyes gleamed in the darkness, watching her with an intensity that made her heart race.

It was a wolf.

But not just any wolf.

The creature stood tall and regal, its fur shimmering like silver moonlight. Its eyes, fierce and intelligent, held a depth of understanding that no ordinary animal could possess.

Catherine froze, her breath shallow. She had heard stories about wolves—terrifying tales of beasts that hunted in packs, tearing apart anything in their path. But this wolf didn't attack. It simply watched her.

Her fear warred with a strange sense of calm. "Are… are you going to eat me?" she whispered.

The wolf tilted its head, almost as if it understood her.

"Please don't."

The great beast lowered its head, stepping closer. Catherine flinched but held her ground, her small hands clenched at her sides. She wasn't sure why, but something told her to stay still.

The wolf's nose touched her hand, cold and wet.

She gasped, her fingers trembling. "You're not going to hurt me, are you?"

The wolf's golden eyes softened. It nudged her hand gently before stepping back, its gaze never leaving hers.

A warmth spread through Catherine's chest—something she hadn't felt since her parents abandoned her.

---

Moments later, more shadows moved among the trees. A second wolf appeared, then a third, their eyes reflecting the moonlight like stars. Catherine's heart skipped a beat as she realized she was surrounded.

The pack was silent, their movements graceful and measured. They circled her, not as predators but as protectors.

"Are you all… together?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The silver wolf—the largest and most majestic—stepped forward. Its fur seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow, as if touched by magic itself.

Catherine stared into its eyes, a strange connection sparking between them. She felt its thoughts brush against her mind, not in words but in feelings, emotions, and images.

You are safe.

The thought was not her own, yet it filled her heart with a sense of calm.

Tears welled in her eyes. "Safe?"

The wolf nodded, its gaze steady and unbreakable.

---

The pack moved as one, surrounding her with a quiet strength. The silver wolf led the way, guiding Catherine deeper into the forest. She followed, her bare feet stepping lightly over the soft earth.

Time seemed to blur. The forest, once a place of fear and darkness, now felt alive with hidden wonders. The wolves moved silently, their presence a constant, comforting shadow.

As they traveled, Catherine's exhaustion began to fade. The ache in her legs lessened, and the fear that had gripped her heart loosened its hold.

They led her to a clearing bathed in moonlight. At its center stood a massive tree, its gnarled roots twisting like ancient fingers into the ground. Fireflies danced in the air, their glow like tiny stars.

The silver wolf turned to her, its eyes filled with a silent question.

"Is this… where I stay?" she asked.

The wolf nodded.

---

Catherine sank to her knees beneath the great tree, her small hands resting on its roots. The ground was soft, blanketed with moss, and the air smelled of earth and leaves.

"Will I be alone?"

The wolves gathered around her, their warm bodies pressing against her sides.

Never alone.

The thought filled her heart like a promise, and for the first time since her parents had vanished into the dark, she felt a spark of hope.

She leaned against the silver wolf, her eyes drifting closed.

"I'll stay," she whispered. "I'll be brave."

The wolf's fur was soft beneath her cheek, its warmth chasing away the cold.

The forest sighed around them, a gentle lullaby that carried her into sleep.

---

Years passed in the blink of an eye. The girl who had once been afraid grew strong under the watchful eyes of her new family. The wolves taught her to hunt, to listen to the secrets of the forest, and to run with the wind at her heels.

She learned to move like a shadow, her bare feet silent on the forest floor. Her senses sharpened, attuned to every rustle of leaves, every scent carried on the breeze.

And always, the silver wolf was at her side.

She called him Faelor, a name that had come to her in a dream. He was her protector, her guide, and the closest thing to a father she would ever know.

Catherine grew fierce, wild, and free—a daughter of the forest. But deep inside, a question remained, unanswered and unforgotten.

Why had her parents left her?

And what dark force had driven them away?