The trial was a national sensation. Linda was sentenced to twenty-five years; Dr. Miller received fifteen and lost her medical license. Mike, given his confession and cooperation, was sentenced to twenty years with the possibility of parole.
Emma recovered fully. The first thing she saw when she woke up was the wolf lying on the grass outside her hospital window. It was later discovered that the animal wasn’t just a wild wolf, but a wolf-dog hybrid. His father had been the retired K9 officer that belonged to Emma’s father, Captain David.
The son of the loyal dog had saved the daughter of his master. The story touched the entire country, and a fund was set up that covered Toby’s actual medical expenses. Emma had only one request: that her “white angel” be allowed to stay with her.
Time passed, and spring melted the snow, washing away the bitterness of the winter. Emma now lives with Sam, her father’s old friend, in a house surrounded by pines. On the porch, a white wolf is always lying on guard, watching over his little charge.
The court allowed Toby to live with them as well. Two children who had seen too much sorrow are learning to laugh again. Sometimes, Emma pets the wolf and whispers, “Daddy would be so proud of you.”
Late that summer, the old wolf eventually wandered back into the deep woods. Emma didn’t cry; she just smiled. She knew he was still out there, watching. Every morning, she leaves a small treat on the porch—a silent thank you to the guardian who chose the light, even in the heart of the darkest woods.
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