When Kim arrived, the house was ringed by Military Police. The base was on high alert, barricades up, radios crackling. On the porch sat Macy, very much alive, one arm in a sling, cuts and bruises blooming across her cheek and neck. Next to her lounged a very large wolf, tongue out, tail thumping lazily against the boards.
“Kim!” Macy waved with her good hand.
Her father glanced over from where he was talking to an MP, gave a tired nod, and the officers let Kim through.
“Look,” Macy said, patting the wolf’s massive head. “I got a dog.”
Kim looked at what was unmistakably Sarah, grey-white coat, too-intelligent golden eyes, and back at Macy. “You sure that’s a dog?”
“It’s a Husky, I think.” Macy shrugged like that settled it.
A couple of the MPs exchanged glances. They clearly knew better, but no one said a word. Macy was clinging to the animal like a lifeline; nobody was going to be the one to ruin that.
Kim knelt beside her friend. Up close the damage was worse—fresh scrapes, powder burns on her good hand, the sling cradling what looked like a dislocated shoulder. Gun oil and dried blood clung to Macy’s clothes, mixing with the wolf musk rolling off Sarah.
“What happened?”
Macy shook her head fast. “I can’t do more tears right now, Kim. I need McDonald’s and maybe, like, an hour of playing with my new dog before I relive it.”
A nearby officer cleared his throat. “We had civilian authorities check Cindi’s house.” He shook his head once, grim.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Macy threw up her good hand. “Nope. Not here. Not now.”
Kim didn’t push. She didn’t need the details yet; the smell told enough.
“When you didn’t show at school, Adam and I got worried.”
“Yeah, I heard him on the phone with Dad. It wasn’t pretty.” Macy gave a weak grin. “I would’ve called, but someone chewed up my phone.” She shot Sarah a playful glare. The wolf flicked her ears back and made a small, guilty huff.
Kim almost laughed—horror and absurdity crashing together. Macy half-broken but defiant. Sarah, ancient predator, reduced to playing golden retriever for emotional support. The MPs pretending not to notice a wolf the size of a small pony sitting on a military porch.
“We’re keeping this dog,” Macy announced loudly toward her father. He looked over, dubious, but didn’t argue. He just looked exhausted.
He waved Kim closer. “You’re Kim, right?” She nodded. “Take her to McDonald’s or something. Get her out of here for a bit.” He offered cash; Kim waved it off.
“My dad has more money than Donald Trump. I’ve got it.”
He gave a tired nod of thanks.
Kim turned back and offered both hands. “McDonald’s?”
“Fuck yes.” Macy grabbed on with her good arm; Kim pulled her carefully to her feet.
“Did it do this to you?”
“It didn’t even touch me.” Macy’s voice went dark. “My family’s AR-15 did that. Kickback’s a bitch.”
Kim snorted. “I don’t think your family’s AR-15 likes you.”
Macy barked a real laugh—short, sharp, alive. “It likes that fucking Wendigo a lot less. I promise you that.”
Kim didn't comment. She glanced at Sarah instead. “You know she can’t come inside McDonald’s. Maybe we should get a leash and tie her up out front.” Sarah shot an alarmed look at Kim.
“I’m not leasing my dog. And I am not leaving her with that man.” Macy jerked her thumb at her dad. “He’s not an animal lover. We’ll eat outside.” Sarah trotted along behind Macy. Almost smiling at Kim.
Wanting to poke a little more fun at Sarah, Kim asked. “What are you gonna name her?”
Sarah made a low grumbling noise.
Macy crouched and ruffled the thick fur around the wolf’s face. “She’s got such a pretty coat. Grey and white. Maybe… Snowball?”
Kim caught Sarah’s eye and grinned wickedly while Macy wasn’t looking. “Oh, Snowball is perfect.”
Sarah’s lips peeled back just enough to show teeth. A low growl rumbled in her throat.
Macy stepped back fast. “Okay, okay. We can workshop it.”
Sarah huffed, ears flat, tail giving one irritated flick.
Kim bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
