Hider was a young adult timber wolf who chose not to run with the pack, hunting by himself and sleeping alone in a cave. In his mountain wilderness home he had only two enemies. One was the Man In Red who carried a stick that barked fire. Hider learned to distrust humans after the Man In Red tried to kill him for no reason. He still remembered the burning pain and the blood spurting from his leg when the stick barked. He escaped to his cave where he was forced to remain for a long time before he was able to hunt again.

His other enemy was Big Tooth, the leader of his parents' pack. Hider's father was dead, killed by an elk the pack had once attacked. Big Tooth had driven Hider from the pack when he refused to display a submissive demeanor. Hider didn't want to submit to any wolf. Neither to serve nor to rule was his ideal because he believed that all wolves were born free and equal. This went against pack mentality and even his mother disowned him, which broke his heart. Pack members were only too willing to submit to Big Tooth. They lacked spirit like the tame dogs that humans kept as pets. Big Tooth was a bully who enjoyed dominating other wolves. His spirit was corrupted by the perverse thrill of inflicting humiliation, pain and death on his own kind. He lived for power alone, which made him unfit to live as far as Hider was concerned.

The pack gave Hider his derogatory name for his habit of lingering at the edge of their territory and quickly disappearing at the sight of Big Tooth. He had fought Big Tooth once and the older wolf had nearly killed him. Scars on his throat and belly were permanent reminders of the vicious battle. It was safer to remain out of Big Tooth's reach and save his strength for hunting prey.

On rare occasions when Big Tooth wasn't around, Hider was able to get close enough to talk to one of the young adult females. She would say: "What are you afraid of? Big Tooth won't kill you if you submit."

"I won't do it."

"You must be very lonely living by yourself."

"No more than male bears or cougars. They live alone, too."

"But you're not a bear or a cougar. You're a wolf and it's a wolf's nature to live in a pack."

"It's no animal's nature to be a slave."

"We're not slaves."

"Yes you are. You just don't know it."

"You can't hide forever."

"I'm not hiding."

"Sooner or later you'll starve to death if you don't join the pack."
"Bears and cougars don't starve."

"Look how thin you are. You won't last much longer."

"I'm doing fine. A wolf can run faster if he's thin."

Hider hoped to find a mate and persuade her to live aloof with him, but it was no use talking to the young females. They were under the spell of Big Tooth's black magic. Big Tooth had convinced them that if they mated with a solitary male wolf, they would starve and their pups would be stillborn.

It made Hider sad that he couldn't even induce his brother, Sky Eyes, to leave the pack and strike out on his own.

"Are you crazy?" Sky Eyes would say.

"It's a good life. You would be free to go anywhere and do anything you wanted."

"You mean hide from Big Tooth."

"Big Tooth doesn't own the forest. It belongs to all of us."

"You're a dreamer, brother. Real life isn't made of dreams. We each have our place in the pack and it's our fate."

Hider didn't believe in fate. To him it was an excuse for giving up and settling for less when life offered endless possibilities. He roamed the mountain forests feeling as free as a bird. He hunted when he was hungry, drank from streams when he was thirsty, slept when he was tired and watched the sun move across the sky like a giant torch to light his way. He possessed nothing except a sense of wonder at what he saw. The hardest reality was a rock that refused to yield to his bite. The most sublime beauty was a wildflower whose odor intoxicated him. The sight of a butterfly dancing through the air mystified him.

He ate mostly mice because there were so many of them in the forest. Their sweet crunchy taste satisfied his hunger in the simplest way. Squirrels and voles were more difficult to catch. Full-grown deer were far too large and fast to take by himself, but once in awhile he was able to catch a fawn and gorge himself. He always felt a strange twinge of guilt about gorging when a smaller meal of mice or lizards or insects would have sufficed. He realzied this was not a typical wolf attitude and he wondered why it bothered him.

Although Hider enjoyed his freedom, there were times when he felt lonely. He wished he could share the marvelous things he had discovered with a soul mate who would appreciate them as much as he did. He was a young wolf in his prime and before he grew old he wanted to have offspring and teach them to live free like him. He hated the pack system and how it degraded the members. He dreamed of starting a whole new lineage of wolves who would each live on their own and allow other wolves to do the same. Some day the pack system would disappear and all wolves would be free.

Searching the far reaches of his territory one day, Hider came to a cabin he had never seen before. He sensed that it belonged to a human and was preparing to flee when he saw a beautiful creature emerge from the dwelling. This human looked different than the Man In Red and Hider could tell she was a female. Although her face was smooth and hairless like all humans, her head was covered with a mane of long dark hair that fell to her waist. She moved gracefully like a cougar and her eyes were mysterious and hypnotic. Hider felt safe watching her from a distance. His fear and distrust of humans vanished and he was fascinated with this strange animal. He thought of her as more animal than human because she lived in the forest far away from other humans.

At night in his cave before he went to sleep, Hider found himself thinking of the woman. He returned to her cabin often, keeping out of sight among the bushes beneath a stand of evergreen trees. He experienced a new emotion when he watched her. It was a combination of shyness and embarrassment, something he had never felt around wolves or other animals in the forest. He was afraid he looked ugly to the woman. His hair was thick and matted unlike human hair and his face was too long with an overlarge nose. If he showed himself to the woman, he was certain she would flee instantly -- not out of fear, but from disgust and horror caused by his ugliness.

On his way home to the cave late one afternoon he stopped at a pond to drink. He saw his reflection in the still water and for the first time in his life he wished he was a human. It was only then that he realized he was in love with the woman.

He was lovesick for a long time until he could bear it no more and he finally found the courage to reveal himself to the woman. As she drew water from the well near her cabin, he stepped out of the bushes and approached slowly so as not to frighten her. She dropped the bucket of water and froze with a look of terror in her eyes. He wagged his tail and lay down to set her mind at ease. She made for the cabin door and then stopped in her tracks, turning to face him again. He wagged his tail again and didn't move.

"Well, I'll be damned," the woman said. She walked toward him slowly. "You don't look dangerous." A few more steps. "I wonder if you're hurt."

Hider dropped his head to his front paws and stared up at her with doleful eyes. He would never act so submissive with another wolf, but he didn't mind doing it for the woman. Love had changed him forever.

"I'll bet you're thirsty," the woman said. She retrieved the bucket, drew fresh water from the well and set it down in front of Hider. He stood up and lapped at the water, trying not to look at her. He felt her hand touch his head and his heart melted.

"You're a nice wolf, aren't you?" the woman said.

He finished drinking and sat on his haunches, staring at her with intense curiosity. He thought she was more beautiful than any female wolf he had ever seen.

The woman leaned down and ran her hand through his fur, which made his skin tingle.

"You don't seem to be hurt," she said. "I can't imagine why you would come here." She patted the top of his head and laughed. "Are you a lonesome wolf?"

He followed her when she went to the cabin door.

"Sorry, no animals allowed inside," she said. "You stay here."

A moment later she returned with a bowl of stew and set it down in front of him. Hider didn't feel hungry, but he started eating anyway to show his appreciation. The food tasted strange except for the meat.

After the woman went to bed that night, Hider howled until she opened the window holding a lantern. He wagged his tail and yelped like a pup, hoping she would let him inside.

"Go away!" the woman shouted. "You can't stick around howling all night."
He looked at her pleadingly.

"Go away!"

He trotted through the trees with a heavy heart. She obviously didn't love him. She had been kind to him, but he was convinced it was only from pity. He was an ugly pitiful wolf that no human woman could ever love. He felt hopelessly lost as he made his way through the forest. He didn't care if he found his cave in the darkness. He could sleep anywhere and he wouldn't feel the cold rain if it fell during the night.

For a long time Hider stayed away from the cabin. He felt too humiliated to let the woman see him again. But eventually his loneliness and yearning grew so strong he thought he might die. He swallowed his pride and returned to the cabin one morning. He remained half-hidden in the bushes after the woman spotted him.

"Look who's back," the woman smiled. "I was beginning to think you were dead or something."

Hider didn't move.

She motioned to him with one hand. "Come here, boy."

He approached with his tail between his legs.

"You poor thing," the woman said. "Did you think I was still mad at you?"
She stroked his fur and whispered: "I don't mind if you come to visit. In fact, I enjoy your company. But you can't keep me awake at night howling. Understand?"

Hider understood the tone of her voice if not her words. He wagged his tail and licked her hand.

"You're a real sweetheart," the woman said, smiling.

A wolf baring its teeth was a sign of hostility, but Hider knew it was different with the human woman. When she bared her teeth, she looked calm and happy.

After that, Hider always left the cabin before darkness. He accepted the fact that he was too ugly to spend the night with the woman and would have to be satisified with the days. One morning he led her to his cave. She moved slowly through the forest and he kept doubling back to show her the way.

The woman looked around the cave and put her hands on her hips. "This must be where you sleep. It smells like wet dog."

She sat down and glanced at him. "I wonder why you don't run with a pack. You're a lone wolf, aren't you?"

Hider barked.

"Me too," the woman said thoughtfully. "I guess we're kindred spirits."

The following day Hider managed to find Sky Eyes and his mother together when Big Tooth was nowhere in sight. He asked them if it was possible for a wolf to mate with a human woman.

"Of course not," his mother said. "Humans can only mate with humans and wolves with wolves. It is the law of nature."

"Where did you get such a stupid idea?" Sky Eyes wanted to know.

"I'm in love with a human woman," Hider admitted shyly.

"You have lost your way," his mother said with a sad look.

"How can you love a human?" Sky Eyes demanded. "You know they can't be trusted."

"But she is beautiful and kind," Hider said. "She gives me food and water and talks to me like a friend."

"You're a disgrace to all wolves," his brother snorted.

"At least I don't submit to Big Tooth."

"She'll put you in a cage like a dog."

"No she won't. She lets me run free."

"You'll see what happens if you don't stay away from her."

All at once Hider noticed the look of fear on the faces of Sky Eyes and his mother. As they backed away, he turned to see Big Tooth standing on a hill with his teeth bared. With a sudden leap, the older wolf was on top of Hider, biting and snarling. They rolled in the dirt and Hider felt a sharp pain in his side. He twisted his head and sank his teeth into Big Tooth's neck, holding on as tightly as he could. The big wolf yelped and tried to jerk free, but Hider closed his eyes and drove his teeth deeper into the fur-covered flesh. He tasted blood in his mouth and thrashed his head, pinning Big Tooth to the ground. More blood spurted as Big Tooth struggled. Hider growled ferociously without releasing the pressure of his bite. Some time later Big Tooth stopped moving and his eyes glazed over.

Hider let go and spit fur from his mouth. His jaw was sore from holding the crushing bite so long, but he could see that Big Tooth was finally dead. Members of the pack who had been watching from the trees came out one by one to sniff the carcass.

"You did it!" Sky Eyes barked. "My own little brother!"

Two young adult females sidled up to Hider submissively.

"You're the new pack leader," one of them said.

Hider was horrified. "No I'm not. There is no pack anymore. You're all free to go your own way."

Sky Eyes ran up to him. "You can't do that. You killed Big Tooth and that makes you the leader of the pack."

"You don't need a leader."

Sky Eyes gave him an angry look. "You know that's not how it works."

"I don't care."

"You have to care."

"What do you mean?"

"Someone has to lead the pack. Either fight me or leave the territory for good."
"I won't fight. You're my brother."

"Then you have to leave."

Hider saw a threatening expression on his brother's face. "You're making a bad mistake."

He trotted away, feeling sorry for Sky Eyes. His brother was a throw-back to an archaic pack system that was doomed to vanish some day. Hider stopped at the edge of the trees and glanced back to see Sky Eyes surrounded by submissive females vying for his attention. They didn't love the new pack leader, they were simply afraid of him. They would have his pups and raise them to be slaves like they were.

Feeling depressed, Hider could think of only one place to go. As he neared the cabin, he heard the woman's voice and then a second voice before he peered through the bushes. It was the Man In Red. Hider bared his teeth instinctively at the sight of his enemy. Without the stick that barked, the Man In Red was no threat to the woman and Hider suppressed an urge to attack him while he was defenseless. Revenge was pointless and it would only frighten the woman. Patiently, Hider watched the two humans talking.

"There's no such thing as a tame wolf, Christine."


"I'm sorry I ever told you about him."

"Wolves are dangerous animals. He could turn on you at any time."

"You don't know him. He's as gentle as a pet dog."

The Man In Red lifted his hands in frustration. "Do you hear what you're saying? My God, you're living in a fairy tale."

"I don't need your protection."

"Yes you do. You have no idea what you're dealing with."

"Stop lecturing me." The woman went to the cabin door and paused. "Come inside and have a cup of coffee."

"I don't want any coffee."

"Then go home and leave me alone."

She slammed the cabin door. Hider watched the man walk to the window and rap on it with his hand. The woman's face appeared in the window frame.

"You wouldn't happen to have a bottle of whisky in there, would you?"

A moment later the cabin door swung open and he entered, closing it behind him.

Hider stayed until well after dark, waiting for the Man In Red to leave. At one point he heard strange noises from inside the cabin -- grunts and groans and high-pitched squeals. He suspected the humans were mating. He hated to admit that Sky Eyes and his mother had been right about humans and wolves only being able to mate with their own kind. It was the law of nature.

When the moon rose above the trees, Hider finally gave up hope that the Man In Red would leave. The woman would let him spend the night with her because he wasn't ugly like a foolish young wolf.

Hider turned around and started through the trees with a melancholy sensation that felt like a weight on his chest. He moved slowly at first, resigning himself with each step -- not to fate, but to his new destiny. He would walk all night toward the High Mountain. There was no place left for him in a territory of slaves and masters, but he would establish a new territory on the other side of the High Mountain where he was not known. In that unfamiliar region he would look for a wolf mate to live aloof with him and teach their pups how to be free.

If he searched long enough, he might get lucky and find a willing female wolf, but even if he didn't, he would make his life count for something positive. He would fight pack leaders when they terrorized frightened members. He would help pack outcasts learn how to live a simple existence in the forest. If he got lonely from time to time, he would never feel sorry for himself because he realized that loneliness was often the price of freedom in an imperfect world.

Hider quickened his pace through the forest. If he didn't tire too soon, he could reach the summit of the High Mountain before the sun came up and watch a new day dawn over his future territory.