Where Shayla Waits

There is a stranger waiting beneath the tall pine.

Autumn has come to the Lamar Valley, and a young black wolf has appeared at the edge of Shayla’s world. He is thin and hurt, and he will not say a word. Father tells him to go. Her brother Bram growls at him. But Shayla sees what the others have missed. There is no anger in the stranger’s eyes. Only fear.

So Shayla waits. Day after day she sits in the grass and leaves a careful space between them. She shows him a safe way up a slippery creek bank. She leads him in out of a wild storm. Slowly, the stranger begins to trust her. His name is Sage, and he has heard Shayla’s family howl before.

Then the coyotes come.

Five of them, circling the young wolves at the edge of their land. Shayla, Bram and Juno stand shoulder to shoulder, but there are too many. Then a strong, steady bark sounds behind them.

Sage has been quiet for a long time. Now, under a full moon, he lifts his head to howl, not knowing if anyone out there will answer.

Someone does.

In this second book of Shayla the Wolf Stories, a quiet young wolf learns that belonging is not only something you find. Sometimes it is something you give. A gentle story about patience, kindness, and making room for someone new, perfect for children who have ever felt like the outsider, or who are learning how to welcome one.

An illustrated chapter book for ages 5 to 8, written to be read aloud one chapter at a time. Set in the real Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park, with forty-three pen-and-ink illustrations, a note about lone wolves, and a map of the park.

Free printable activity pages at shaylawolfstories.com/free