We’ll name him Maxim, after Grandpa. I think he’ll grow up to be just as strong. The wolf listened, head tilted as if he understood every word.
The pregnancy progressed smoothly. Every month, Irina visited the district hospital for check-ups. The doctors confirmed, everything’s fine, normal development.
You’ve got a strong boy, the elderly gynaecologist said during an ultrasound. Very active, always moving. Takes after his dad, it seems.
Andre, attending the check-ups, smiled proudly. His instincts had been right, they were having a son. In the evenings, they sat on the porch, watching the sunset over the taiga, dreaming of the future.
Andre wanted to teach his son everything from fishing to forest survival. Irina imagined reading him fairy tales, teaching him letters and numbers. You know, Andre said once, I used to think living in the taiga was temporary, that we’d move back to the city.
But now, I’m not so sure. Maybe we should stay. The air’s clean, people are kind, and it’s a good place for a child to grow up.
Irina thought for a moment. At first, she believed she’d never get used to life far from civilization. But slowly, Sosnovka had become home.
She’d grown to love the quiet evenings, the scent of the taiga after rain, the sincerity of the locals. I don’t mind, she finally replied. But let’s decide after the baby is born.
Who knows how things will go. Andre nodded and put his arm around her. At that moment, Sever, who had been lying at their feet, suddenly raised his head and looked toward the forest, alert.
What is it? Andre followed the wolf’s gaze. Sever stood, his hackles raised, and let out a low growl. Someone’s coming, Irina said instinctively, placing a hand on her belly.
A minute later, a tall figure emerged from the trees. Andre tensed but then relaxed. It was the village shaman, Nikolai Semyonovich.
Good evening. The old man greeted them as he approached the porch. Hope I’m not disturbing you.
Of course not. Come on in, Irina said, rising to make space. Some tea, she offered.
With pleasure, the shaman nodded. Sever stopped growling but kept a close eye on the guest, his amber eyes never leaving the man. How’s Maxim Petrovich? the shaman asked as he took the teacup from Irina.
He’s recovering, Andre replied. They did hard surgery. The doctors say with this pace, he’ll be home soon.
The shaman nodded, sipping his tea. You didn’t come just for tea, did you? Irina suddenly asked, catching the old man’s studying gaze. Nikolai Semyonovich smiled.
Clever girl. No, not just for tea. He looked at her belly.
The child you’re carrying is special. I can feel it. Irina and Andre exchanged glances.
What do you mean, special? Andre asked, frowning. In a good way, the shaman reassured him. Two worlds will meet in him, the taiga and the city.
He nodded towards Sever. And the wolf, he will be his protector. What are you talking about? Andre asked, puzzled.
The old man reached into his pocket and handed Irina a small object. Take this, a charm for the baby. Irina accepted the gift, a tiny bone pendant skillfully carved into the shape of a wolf.
Thank you, she said, admiring the charm. It’s beautiful. Always keep it close, the shaman said, standing up.
And remember, beasts sense what humans cannot see. After the shaman left, Andre sat in silence for a long time, staring at the fire. He’s strange, he finally said.
All this talk about spirits and two worlds. But maybe there’s something to it, Irina said, thoughtfully stroking the charm. Look how Sever changed when I got pregnant, as if he really felt something.
Andre shrugged. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, or maybe, I don’t know. Grandpa always said the taiga lives by its own laws, not always clear to city folk.
That night, Irina had a strange dream. She was walking through a snowy forest, sinking knee-deep with every step. Around her was dead silence, broken only by the distant howl of a wolf.
She walked toward the sound, and with every step, the darkness grew thicker. Then he appeared, a massive gray wolf with amber eyes. But this wasn’t Sever.
It was like his ancient wild ancestor. The wolf stared at her without blinking, then turned and walked away. She followed, feeling she had to see what he wanted to show her.
Up ahead, a warm golden light appeared. The wolf had led her to a house, her house in Sosnovka. But as she came closer, she saw smoke curling out from under the door.
Irina woke up in a cold sweat. Andre was peacefully sleeping beside her. She placed a hand on her belly and felt the baby shifting.
The dream had felt so vivid, so real. Just nonsense, she whispered to herself. Just a bad dream.
But somewhere deep inside, a quiet sense of dread took root and didn’t let go. By early winter, Irina’s belly was visibly round. The rural doctor confirmed the pregnancy was progressing normally, with the due date expected in late February.
Soon the blizzards will start, said Anna Illinichna, who often stopped by in the evenings. You be careful, Irochka. In this weather, you won’t make it to the hospital.
Don’t scare her, Andre waved it off. The emergency service has snowmobiles. If needed, we’ll get there.
Andre insulated the house, stocked up firewood for the entire winter, and called Irina daily from his unit to check in. The old stove warmed the house well, but it needed constant attention. The logs burned quickly and had to be replenished every couple of hours.
We should call in a stove expert, said Andre. Something’s off with the draft. Wood’s not burning evenly.
It’s not long now till the baby’s here, Irina reassured him. We’ll deal with it after. On that fateful day, January 15th, the temperature dropped below minus 30 degrees Celsius.
Andre was on duty. A fire had broken out in a neighbouring village, and the emergency crew was sent to assist. Irina stayed home alone, if you didn’t count Sever, who now never left her side.
By evening, a blizzard hit. Snow buried the paths around the house, and wind howled through the stovepipe, filling the air with eerie sounds. Irina kept the stove going, trying to maintain warmth.
It’s burning too fast, she complained to Andre over the phone. The stove guy won’t be there for a week, Andre replied. Just stoke it more often, and don’t forget to open the damper after the fire catches.
I remember, I remember. Irina touched her growing belly. The baby’s really active today, kicking non-stop.