They rounded a rugged cluster of rocks, and the desperate cries became impossible to ignore. With every step, a growing sense of dread settled over Noemi. Whatever awaited them, it was far worse than she had imagined.
Then she spotted the source.
A tiny wolf cub was tangled in an abandoned fishing net that had drifted ashore. The mesh had wrapped tightly around its small body, holding it fast while the incoming tide threatened to pull it under. Its muzzle remained just above the surface as it fought frantically for air.
Nearby, the adult wolf paced in visible distress. A mournful howl escaped her as she scratched and tugged at the tangled net with her paws, but every effort was useless. She simply couldn’t break it apart.
Noemi felt her heart sink.
She couldn’t ignore what she was seeing. But helping the helpless cub meant doing the one thing every instinct warned her against—it meant stepping within reach of the frightened mother wolf.