Chapter 25

Biting down into the steaks, Natalie couldn't help but moan at how good it tasted in her mouth. It was simple and barely seasoned, but it played so well with the meat that it tasted exquisite. Within a minute, she had polished off her plate and was already asking the wolves to send her out another one. This time, she got them to also send out some of the buns. They were out in seconds as the wolves continued to eat inside the Soulscape. Not even a second glance was given at the mounds of baked flour, as the meat in front of them was so tantalizing it took over their attention almost entirely. Shaking her head at the ferocity at which the wolves tore at the steaks she made, Natalie continued to dig in, now using the buns to soak up the juices from the meat. The flavour carrying dough balls were the perfect fluffiness to go with the juices from the elk.

Finishing up the meal, Nat quickly cleaned all of the tools before getting them put away into her. Reclining backwards, she just lay beside the fire and enjoyed the view of the stars. With the fire being the only light source anywhere around, the sky was lit up by a curtain of star light, looking as though glitter was just thrown in the sky.  The view was so mesmerizing, that Natalie did not notice the fire go out. After a yawn broke out of her, she finally got up and took a look around. Noticing that the fire was already out, she quickly pushed some dirt on top of the coals before heading back into the tent. Laying down, Nat got comfy beside Kali in the bed before the rest of the wolves decided to come join the pile. As everyone else got comfy, Nat closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

As she opened back up her eyes, all she saw was the road that she was running down earlier. Looking around she could not see anyone nor anything. She walked around the road, calling out to see if anyone was there. There were no tracks, no trace of wolf, goblin, or anything else having come through the area. As she walked, she realized that the woods on the side almost seemed to be repeating herself. Sure all woods looked similar on a roadside, but they could not all look that similar. Turning off the road, she started walking into the forest. Slowly, she walked through the forest taking a look in every direction, taking note of how eerily empty it felt, as if it was devoid of life.

Stepping out from behind a tree, she found herself overlooking a plains. Or at least, what Natalie assumed was a plains. For covering the ground as far as her eyes could see, goblins milled about. Some fighting, some laughing, some eating. As she observed the horde, struck still by the sheer number of them, a shriek ran out. Looking at its origin, she saw a goblin pointing directly at her. It started yelling, gesturing wildly at her. One by one, the goblins in the field started joining in with the shrieking lookout. Seeing the goblins all shrieking and pointing at her, Natalie turned and ran.as she started moving into the tree line, she heard just as much as she felt the goblins giving chase after her. The sounds of their feet sounding like thunder rolling, but never ending. The ground itself shook under the strength of their numbers. The more she heard and felt, the more desperately Natalie ran to get away from the horde of monsters.

"Kali! Bryden! Shadow! Maia! Anyone! Please help me!" She yelled out as she ran. She could feel the goblins getting closer with each passing second. Alas, no matter how much she called out, not one human nor wolf appeared to help her. Not watching her footing, Nat tripped over a root sticking out of the ground and tumbled down against a tree. Looking up, she could see the goblins close in on her. Panicked, she turned and tried to quickly scramble up the tree. She did not make it a meter off the ground before she felt a clawed hand wrap around her ankle. Clinging onto the tree with all her might, she did her best to hold onto the tree. The one thing that was keeping her from getting assaulted by the hideous goblins below. As time passed, more and more hands wrapped around her ankles. Soon enough, she was pulled into the horde.

Shooting awake, Natalie started hyperventilating. She looked around panickily, before realizing that she was still in the tent. No goblins, just her, her bedding and the tent. That, and the wolves were now looking at her in worry. They said noting, but all the adult wolves pushed feeling of concern towards her. The pups nuzzled up against her, and only pushed forward happy, comforted feelings and thoughts. It took her a few minutes to calm down. 'It was just a night mare. I am not alone. All of these wonderful family members are here with me. They will help me fend off anyone who would hurt any of us.' She repeated this in her head three times, before laying back down into bed. Her breathing finally slowed down.

As she lay there, Kali came up to her and licked her face. A slight smile came across her face as this happened. As the wolves all saw this, they all shared a knowing grin between them. Before she knew it all of the wolves were licking her from head to toe. The coordinated attack of the tongues easily penetrated her defences, and Natalie was rolling around laughing at how ticklish their tongues were. Her rolling was not to dissuade them from their efforts, and they continued for five minutes before Natalie called out for them to stop and that she was okay. Satisfied, the wolves took up positions sleeping again. This time they positioned themselves even closer to Natalie. Looking at Kali's head resting beside her own, she reached up and scratched behind the female wolfs ears briefly, before finally surrendering herself back to the void of sleep.

Huge thanks to my Elder Wolves Jake, Viktor, and Kevin for supporting me and my writing! Remember that I keep Patreon ten chapters ahead at all times.