CHAPTER 1: Mysterious Illness 

Lila’s POV 

I tugged at the clumps formed in my hair from work all day between my fingers. It carried a scent of antiseptic and fur, a familiar blend that seemed almost calming — the way my little Silverwood veterinary clinic always had. The clinic was so much more than my job, it was where I felt safe valiantly striving to save animals gave me something to focus on that both benefited others and in turn filled the void inside of me which seemed unending most days.

Silverwood was a quaint isolated town surrounded by giant oak trees with rolling hills for miles and silver spinning between them. The town had a quiet classicism that seemed insulated from the pace of change beyond its borders. Here we knew each other, and everyone knew one another - deeply interconnected. But over time, there had been something unsettling running like a live wire beneath it all that began with the animals.

“Another one, Lila,” my assistant Sarah called out through the halls of our clinic

I breathed out and looked at the clock. It was closing time, and today had been a tough day. “What is it this time?” I questioned, getting up from the chair I sat on. 

“A fox. Same symptoms as the others.”

A chill ran down my spine. Animals, especially wildlife, had been brought in lately with the same symptoms: fevers, lethargy; animals seemingly unable to bear bright sunlight. For the life of me, I could not figure it out. It felt as if the forest was ill, as though it carried its plague through the animals of the wood.

I entered the examination room to examine a small red fox on the table. There was an infection on its side that had spread so far under the matted fur and there wasn't a way for us to get close enough to apply antifungals or steroids without causing severe stress, and it's breathing sounded like liquid entering lungs in ragged rattles. In response, I reached down and placed my hand gently on its side — feeling the quick rise and fall of a soft chest.

"Hey there, little guy," I said quietly. “Let me see if we can figure out what is wrong with you."

Sarah remained beside me, her brow furrowed with concern. "Lila…this is the fifth one this week. We need answers.”

“I know ” I said as I reached for my stethoscope. “And we’ll find them.”

I examine the fox, checking for any possibility — infectious diseases, environmental toxins, and viral outbreak — but none seemed to match all the symptoms. It was like trying to put together a puzzle, but without all the pieces. I drew blood and promised myself to run more tests in the morning. 

"You can rest here for the night," I declared to the fox, cocooning him in a warm blanket and granting it ready for relaxation, "You are going to be all right with us."

Sarah and I found ourselves staring at each other after cleaning the examination room, our shared fears hanging in that clinical silence. And then, just as we were about to call it a night, we got a phone call – loudly screaming from mere feet away.

I grabbed it, knowing this would be another run-of-the-mill call. “Silverwood Veterinary Clinic, Lila speaking.”

“Lila, this is Marcus from the sheriff’s office. We’ve got an emergency.”

My heart skipped a beat. The first problem was that Marcus hardly ever phoned, and when he did, it wasn't for anything good. “What’s going on?”

“We found a wolf. It is wounded and acting very aggressive. We need your help.”

A wolf? Wolves were not often sighted in the Silverwood, and they usually tended to stay away from human encampments. This was highly unusual. “Where is it?”

"Near the old logging road on the outskirts of town. Can you come quickly?”

I hang up, saying only I will be there. 

Oops, wrong number, thank you for telling me that so fast! 

"Hey, did you hear Marcus say something like, uhm, a wolf was injured and I should come quickly? " I asked Sarah 

And that simple nod from Sarah and the echoed expression on her face held all of my fears for that night. 

"Get the tranquillizer kit and some supplies. We’re going to need them. "

Just when I wanted to call it a night 

We quickly grabbed what we needed and rushed to my truck. The trip out of town was a blur fighting in my head that had just occurred. What would have lured a wolf that close to town? So, what gives rise to that type of behaviour?. There was chaos when we got there; I mean, total mayhem.

Marcus and a few others deputies enforced the perimeter, their torches slashing through the night. The wolf sat smack in the middle of all this madness, his fur dark grey almost black. It was the biggest wolf I'd ever seen, and even from a distance, one could spot the tension in its body—the barely restrained aggression.

“Lila, over here!” Marcus called, waving us over. “Be careful. It's sick and not in the mood to be approached. "

Cautiously, I moved closer to the wolf approaching at a slow pace. It was breathing hard, its eyes a wild, bright gold that shine as they bore through the night. It sight filled me with both awe and dread. 

 “Easy now,” I whispered. I pulled out the tranquillizer gun, hoping the wolf wouldn't get aggressive seeing me with the tranquillizer gun . “We’re here to help.”

There was a low growl from within the wolf — such a noise that made my backbone shiver. I noticed a deep gash on its side, and I noticed this only because the wolf turned as he stood up. It required medical attention and quickly — but the next step was a tough one: getting close to help was going to be a challenge. 

"Marcus, do you think you can settle it down?, like try to calm it down?" Still watching the wolf, I asked.

Marcus took a step forward, his voice soft and steady as he attempted to calm the wolf. “Hey there, big guy. We’re not here to hurt you. Just let us help.”

Well, the wolf was not having it. The wolf growled, showing fangs that dripped with saliva. Marcus withdrew, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s no use, Lila. This one is far too gone.”

I was also just about to go for the tranquillizer again when a new voice cut through the tension. “Let me handle this.”

I turned to the shadow beside me, and a man emerged from it. He was quite…authoritative, and confident. He was huge, with thick dark hair and chocolate gold eyes… like the wolf's yet not. He had a silent reprehensibility to his gait; as though he actually hailed from the night.

“Who are you?” My curiosity peaked, I asked, but there was no time for answers.

The man didn't answer my question but knelt down beside the wolf and stared into its eyes. “Easy, boy. You are fine,” he whispered, his voice rumbling low and comforting.

Much to my astonishment… the growling of the wolf stopped.

Like the two of them had some unsaid thing between them, a relationship that was beyond my understanding. The tension that hung in the air vanished, leaving behind an eerie sense of peace.

My heart picked up as I took the chance to step closer. “Steady him,” I whispered under my breath as I loaded the sedation gun.

The man nodded, one hand resting gently on the wolf's flank. The wolf's breaths slowed, and its wild eyes slid closed as the creature leaned further into this new and foreign sensation. It was as if it knew him.

I didn’t waste any time. I made a smooth, practised movement and pressed the needle into its thick fur, injecting the tranquillizer. Within seconds, the effects became apparent. The wolf yawned, its body going limp and falling asleep.

I breathed a breath I did not know was there. Turning to the man, I said “Thanks.” “whatever you did, I dont know how, but i am grateful." 

He rose from his seat but not before watching the wolf sleep for one last time and came up to me. “No need to thank me. Just make sure he’s okay.”

He turned, and just before I could ask his name, Marcus approached him with a look of recognition.

“Ethan” he said in a respectful tone of surprise. "You are the last person I thought I would see here." 

Ethan? I did not know the name, but listening to Marcus pronounce it. I knew that he was a significant figure.

Ethan nodded, expression unreadable. "I was just around and heard of the wolf. Thought I’d check it out.”

There was Something in his voice, something deeper that made me want to inquire more, but Ethan's attention shifted back to Marcus. Their eyes met, and I saw that something passed between them — some sort of wordless exchange that left Marcus visibly uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” I inquired as I felt the change.

Ethan's jaw tightened, but he didn't answer. Instead, he looked back at me with a friendly look, and his attitude softened a bit. “Take care of the wolf, Lila. He’s important.”

With that, he left me where I was standing more confused than before.

“Wait!” I called after him, but he was gone already; off into the night just as quickly as he had come.

I paused for a moment to work out what had just taken place; there was something about Ethan, whoever he was has a presence that lingered even after he was gone, like the echo of a distant storm. All I had was a wounded wolf, another million questions, and the odd feeling this night marked only the beginning of something far more complicated than i had anticipated.

Under Marcus' guidance, we gently lifted the wolf into my pickup. As we drive back to the clinic. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was no ordinary wolf. It was different, and I felt curious but also scared.

When we got to the clinic, we went about stabilizing the wolf. It was enormous and seemed to give off this weird vibe as I took care of its wound, stitching the wound and cleaning it up. Once it was resting peacefully, I finally allowed myself to sit back and simply breathe.

Sarah looked at me, her eyes filled with concern. "What do you think that was all about?" 

“Right now, I have no idea,” I confessed as my mind was still reeling away. “But I intend to find out.”

I watched the sleeping wolf. It seemed to me that this was only the beginning of something much bigger than I thought. And there was this deep down feeling that whatever it is, it would change everything completely.