The True Big Bad Wolf

Many have heard the story,
of red-riding hood and the wolf,
but few know the truth,
and heard a tale of rivalry instead.

When she was on her way,
to her old grandmothers house,
it was the huntsman who'd stray,
and try to steal her heart away.

And that isn't half bad,
if his intentions were true
but he was quite mad,
he only would cause her rue.

Now the wolf saw through,
this game the huntsman played,
and watched Red grow,
from a child to a maid.  

He'd sworn to protect her,
he stayed always, nearby, watching,
in shadows, hiding, from society's scorn,
their judgments overarching.

When the huntsman made his move,
Red pushed him away,
the man made the mistake of smack her
the back of his hand across her face.

A wicked snarl from the bushes,
but Red was not afraid,
she knew her wolf had come to save,
as the huntsman stood, axe o'er top her head. 

The huntsman didn't see him,
blinded by his sudden rage,
as the wolf came up behind,
but Red's gaze, gave him away.

The man turned heel,
swiping the blade as the wolf jumped back,
but on his shoulder, he felt cold steel,
and heard the deafening crack.

A yelp, Red charged the huntsman
and he fell to his knees,
but not before he grabbed her arm,
pulled her down, with a squeeze.

The wolf shook his angry head,
limping but not dead,
bared his teeth and dug into his neck,
her adversary, screamed, and bled. 

One of the villagers heard the noise,
and rushed to the man's rescue instead,
the wolf limped away, no time for poise,
the villagers that surrounded, refused to listen to Red.
For the huntsman that lie on the ground,
had met his immanent death.

And the story of the wolf howling to the moon?
She'd sneak from the village at night,
and meet with him under the pale blue light,
she would curl up to his shoulder,
and he would lay his head on hers,
silence, until they closed their eyes.

Sometimes the pack would come to spy,
and as curiosity turned to friendship,
she was one of the wolves, of five...
Red, the next year, caught fever, and died.

In honor of her unearthly love,
they would gather under the moon,
howling, teaching their pups from away from pride,
tradition passed down, both sides telling different stories,
about the wolf, Red's protector, and Red's rare human mind.