{"id":2675,"date":"2025-10-30T07:09:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T13:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/?p=2675"},"modified":"2025-12-22T07:33:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T13:33:58","slug":"the-road-to-spokane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/afterthefall\/the-road-to-spokane\/","title":{"rendered":"Episode 39 – The Road to Spokane"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Winter settled over Libby like a soft, forgiving blanket. The sky stayed low and pale, and every roof wore its own crown of snow. Smoke rose from chimneys in neat gray ribbons. The radio in the square hummed quietly with music; the wolves kept watch from the tree line while the townsfolk went about their days. After months of fire, it finally smelled like home again \u2014 pine, ash, bread, and cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But peace never stayed perfect for long. One morning, Marta stood in the square with a ledger in hand, frowning at the numbers.
\u201cFuel\u2019s dropping faster than we planned,\u201d she said. \u201cIf the winter stays this long, we\u2019ll run dry before spring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane leaned against the truck, arms folded, steam curling from his breath. \u201cHow far short?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThree, maybe four weeks of full power,\u201d Marta said. \u201cWe can ration, but I\u2019d rather not. We need another source.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rime rumbled from where he sat, massive paws folded. \u201cWe trade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the idea,\u201d Marta said, tapping her pencil against the page. \u201cClosest big city still standing is Spokane. Bigger population, more storage. Worth a try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holt grinned, teeth flashing. \u201cRoad trip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta looked between them and sighed with the faint amusement of someone used to chaos. \u201cAlright then. You, Rime, Thane, and I. We take the truck, bring some furs, cured hides, spare tools \u2014 trade goods. Gabriel, you and Mark are on radio and tech watch until we\u2019re back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gabriel gave a mock salute from behind the console. \u201cI\u2019ll keep the airways warm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next morning, the truck roared to life in the cold \u2014 diesel coughing white clouds into the gray sky. Marta took the passenger seat with her ledger; Thane drove, claws gentle on the wheel. Holt and Rime rode in the open flatbed, tails flicking in the wind, massive and content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The road wound north, snow thick on the shoulders. The mountains fell away to low valleys where the world looked half-asleep. Holt leaned over the cab roof to shout above the engine, \u201cCivilization better have coffee!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta laughed. \u201cYou\u2019ll settle for gasoline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rime said nothing. He watched the trees pass, expression unreadable. But when they crossed the long stretch of frozen highway that once carried freight trucks, he muttered, \u201cToo quiet. World forget how breathe without noise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane nodded. \u201cLet it rest. It\u2019s earned it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

By midday, Spokane appeared \u2014 a cluster of high-rises scarred by fire but still standing, ringed by barricades and guard towers. The smell of human life reached them first: wood smoke, diesel, old metal. It was a city still alive, stitched together by stubbornness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the first checkpoint, armed guards stepped out, hands half-raised \u2014 ready but wary. Their eyes darted between Marta and the wolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEasy,\u201d Marta said, window rolled halfway down. \u201cWe\u2019re traders out of Libby. We\u2019ve got goods and we\u2019re looking for fuel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One guard, a woman with a parka two sizes too big, stared openly at Thane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWerewolves,\u201d Marta said simply. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. They\u2019re polite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That earned her a bewildered look. \u201cYou\u2019re serious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane met the woman\u2019s eyes and inclined his head. \u201cWe don\u2019t bite traders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second guard snorted, nervous and half-amused. \u201cWell, that\u2019s new.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a long pause and a radio check, the gate lifted. \u201cYou cause no trouble, we got no problem,\u201d the first guard said. \u201cMayor\u2019ll want to see this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnderstood,\u201d Marta said, and the truck rolled through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Inside the walls, Spokane was a humming patchwork of humanity. Rows of stalls lined the streets, steam curling from cookpots. People wore layers of patched clothing and carried themselves with the casual alertness of survivors who\u2019d seen too much. But when the truck came down Main Street \u2014 a woman and three wolves riding in \u2014 the crowd stopped moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of eyes followed.
A child gasped.
Someone dropped a tool.
And then the whispers started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre those\u2014?\u201d
\u201cThey\u2019re real.\u201d
\u201cGod, look at the size of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane parked in an open market square. Marta climbed out first, waving in greeting to a cluster of merchants who stared like she\u2019d stepped off a different planet. \u201cWe\u2019re here to trade,\u201d she said cheerfully. \u201cFurs, hides, tools, some dried meat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The merchants blinked. Then, slowly, commerce overcame fear. One man approached with a cautious smile. \u201cYou\u2019re from Libby? Heard of it. You got diesel?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLooking for it,\u201d Marta said. \u201cYou got any to spare?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man nodded toward a rust-streaked drum. \u201cA few barrels left. Price depends on what you\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane and Rime unloaded furs while Holt kept a lazy eye on the growing crowd. The trades went smooth \u2014 furs for fuel, knives for salt, canned fruit for wire spools. Marta\u2019s sharp bartering matched the city merchants move for move until everyone seemed satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as the deals wrapped up, curiosity spread like wildfire. People gathered at a distance, forming a wide ring around the square. The air filled with whispers. Children climbed onto benches for a better look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever seen one up close,\u201d someone murmured.
\u201cThey smell like pine and smoke.\u201d
\u201cLook at their eyes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holt shifted, muttering under his breath, \u201cNext one who pokes loses finger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rime\u2019s ear flicked. \u201cYou talk too much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you never talk,\u201d Holt shot back, grinning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane ignored them, helping Marta secure the last trade strap. \u201cWe square?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll square,\u201d she said, closing the ledger. \u201cAnd stocked enough to keep us warm through spring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

They were preparing to leave when it happened. A small voice piped up from the edge of the crowd.
\u201cCan I touch your claws?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crowd hushed. A boy \u2014 maybe six years old, bundled in a coat too big \u2014 had slipped past the line of adults and stood staring up at Thane with wide, fearless eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane blinked, then crouched slowly. \u201cYou can,\u201d he said gently. \u201cThey\u2019re sharp, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boy giggled. \u201cI\u2019ll be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He reached out, tiny fingers brushing over Thane\u2019s curved claws. His smile widened in awe. Then, emboldened, he reached up and patted Thane on the head like he was a very large, very patient dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crowd collectively gasped.
Holt and Rime froze, then burst into twin, rumbling laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Holt said between laughs. \u201cHe petted Alpha.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rime\u2019s tail flicked once. \u201cBrave pup.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane couldn\u2019t help it \u2014 he laughed too, a low, rolling sound that warmed the air. \u201cYou\u2019ve got courage,\u201d he said to the boy. \u201cHold onto that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A shout cut through the square. \u201cEli!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A man came sprinting from the crowd \u2014 older, coat thrown half on, panic written all over him. He skidded to a stop, eyes wild. \u201cGet away from\u2014\u201d He froze when he saw the scene: his son laughing, three wolves grinning, and no one bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man blinked. \u201cHe\u2014he\u2019s okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d Thane said, standing tall again. \u201cHe\u2019s got a good instinct for people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man swallowed hard. \u201cYou\u2014You\u2019re one of them… from Libby?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta stepped forward, smiling warmly. \u201cWe all are \u2014 just trying to make it through the winter. You\u2019re the mayor, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He hesitated, then nodded. \u201cMayor Hal Mason. And that\u2019s my boy, Eli.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, Mayor Mason,\u201d Marta said, \u201cyou\u2019re looking at Libby\u2019s head wolf, Thane. We came to trade, not to scare anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mayor managed a small, incredulous laugh. \u201cYou\u2019ve\u2026 succeeded at both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holt chuckled behind them. \u201cHappens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta introduced them one by one, explaining who they were and what Libby had become \u2014 a cooperative town, human and wolf, rebuilding instead of fighting. As she spoke, the tension in the crowd eased. People stepped closer, murmuring, curious instead of fearful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Mason\u2019s expression softened. \u201cWe thought we were alone up here. Guess not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNone of us are,\u201d Marta said. \u201cWe\u2019re building again. You\u2019re welcome to visit, trade, see for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He nodded slowly. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a deal. And\u2026 thank you for not eating my son.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holt snorted. \u201cWasn\u2019t on menu.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That earned the first laugh from the gathered crowd \u2014 nervous, then genuine. The tension broke like thin ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

When the truck finally rumbled back toward the gate, nearly a thousand people had gathered along the street to watch. Some waved. A few clapped. It looked, Thane thought, like a festival pretending it wasn\u2019t one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta leaned out the window, waving. \u201cBe sure to keep that promise, Mayor Mason. We\u2019ll bring coffee next time!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mayor smiled wide. \u201cYou bring those big guys again, you won\u2019t have to pay for it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holt barked a laugh. \u201cYou hear that? Free coffee!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rime\u2019s voice was quiet but smug. \u201cWorth trip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they rolled out through the gate, a gust of snow swirled around the truck, catching in the morning sun. Thane glanced in the side mirror \u2014 the city behind them glowing faint gold, hundreds of faces watching as if the world had grown a little larger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta sat back, arms crossed, a faint smile on her lips. \u201cThat,\u201d she said, \u201cwas diplomacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holt tilted his head toward Thane. \u201cSo\u2026 how feel being pet like dog, Alpha?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane gave him a sidelong look. \u201cIf it gets us fuel and peace, I\u2019ll take the pat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rime\u2019s low chuckle rumbled through the cab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The road stretched ahead, snow glinting. Behind them, Spokane buzzed with the kind of story that spreads hope \u2014 a story about wolves and humans trading like old friends, and a fearless child who saw no monsters at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thane\u2019s claws tapped lightly on the wheel. \u201cMaybe,\u201d he said softly, \u201cthis is how it starts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta looked over. \u201cHow what starts?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomething better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n