“The young princess’s heart broke when she was told her wolf could not be found. For years, she mourned the loss of her friend, that brave wolf. She was so heartbroken, she couldn’t even return to the beautiful forest that had always beckoned to her, and many came to think of her as the princess who’d only imagined a silver wolf protector.
“Years passed, and the princess grew up. Soon, it was time for her to be married. The king and queen wanted only the best, most valiant man for their daughter, so the king decided to host a tournament to test the strength and valor of any who chose to compete for the princess’s hand.
“Men from every nearby kingdom came to try their might in this challenge, but the princess watched them compete with little interest. As they drew swords and fought on the fields of mock battle, she didn’t feel drawn to any of them.
“Then she saw a newcomer enter the field. He wore a dark cloak with the hood drawn up, which kept his face in shadow. He pulled out his sword, and his opponent rushed him.
“The princess held her breath as she watched him fight. He was smaller than his attacker, but he was fast and strong. Their swords clashed, and the fight ended surprisingly quickly, with the cloaked man declared the winner. He stayed on the field, and he won the next battle. And the next!
“Finally, at the end of the tournament, the cloaked man was declared the winner. The princess walked down to the field to meet the mysterious man who had won her hand. As she drew to a stop in front of him, she said, ‘‘Won’t you lower your hood, so I may see you?’
“Slowly, he did so, and she was stunned to see a handsome young man with silver hair, and familiar blue eyes.
“Her heart beat faster, and with trembling hands, she reached for his right hand, and he let her push up his sleeve. There on his forearm was a scar—a vicious bite mark.
“A tear rolled down her cheek, and he was quick to catch it with his fingertips.
“‘How?’ she asked him. ‘How are you here?’
“‘You know me?’ he asked.
“‘Of course,’ the princess said. ‘You are my wolf. My protector.’
“He smiled at that. ‘I did not think you would recognize me.’
“‘How could I ever forget you?’ she exclaimed. ‘You saved my life that night.’
“‘No,’ he said. ‘You savedmylife. For you see, as a young boy I was cursed to be a wolf. But your tears—so selfless, kind, and good—broke the curse. I’ve spent these past years searching for you, though I didn’t know your name. I had nearly given up, but then I heard rumors of a princess who imagined a silver wolf protector, and I knew it was you.’
“The princess was so overwhelmed with joy by the unexpected return of her friend, she kissed him, and they lived happily ever after—the princess and her wolf prince.”
Sarah yawned, her eyelids drooping. “Did that really happen?”
Finn spoke before Venn could, his own words heavy with near sleep. “No. There are no curses, or men who can turn from wolf to man.”
Venn re-tucked the blanket around their shoulders, making sure they were covered. “The story may not be real,” he told them. “But that doesn’t make it untrue.”
After whispering goodnights, Venn moved to sit beside Vera.
“You’re quite the storyteller,” she said quietly.
“I learned from the best,” he said with a small smile. “My mother told us endless stories when we were young.”
“Was that one of her tales, then?”
He nodded. “I tried to pick one that wouldn’t scare them.”
“I think it was perfect.” A frightened child, saved by a brave, protective wolf? It was extremely fitting. But that wasn’t the reason the story had resonated with her.
The girl had walked away from her wolf to save him, and in the process, she’d lost him. But he’d come back into her life. He’d fought for her.
Just as she was determined to fight for Venn.
The low fire snapped beside them, and Rebecca stretched in Vera’s arms before falling back to sleep.
“Who cursed the boy and turned him into a wolf?”
It was a foolish question, all things considered, but Venn didn’t tease her for asking. “I believe my mother said it was a witch who’d been crossed by one of the boy’s ancestors.”
