title: Into the Mouth of the Wolf
author:  Joshua Dagon 
description: <b>Joshua Dagon</b> is a novelist, playwright, and columnist. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
zlib_text: ![](Images/image00185.jpeg)
  
  CHAPTER ONE
  
  I’D ALWAYS WELCOMED WAR, BUT IN BATTLE my passion rose unbidden.
  
  The bear’s roar filled my ears. Its hot breath assaulted my nostrils, fueling
  my bloodlust. Behind me I could hear the boy’s ragged gasp. The desperate
  sound made my nails dig into the earth. I snarled at the larger predator
  again, daring it to try to get past me.
  
  What the hell am I doing?
  
  I risked a glance at the boy and my pulse raced. His right hand pressed
  against the gashes in his thigh. Blood surged between his fingers, darkening
  his jeans until they looked streaked by black paint. Slashes in his shirt
  barely covered the red lacerations that marred his chest. A growl rose in my
  throat.
  
  I crouched low, muscles tensed, ready to strike. The grizzly rose onto its
  hind legs. I held my ground.
  
  Calla!
  
  Bryn’s cry sounded in my mind. A lithe brown wolf darted from the forest and
  tore into the bear’s unguarded flank. The grizzly turned, landing on all
  fours. Spit flew from its m