My Demon Wolf - By Kachchakaduge Nethumi Dulanja

Written By: Kachchakaduge Nethumi Dulanja

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the intricate world of storytelling, Kachchakaduge Nethumi Dulanja presents "My Demon Wolf," a compelling short story featured in Hashtag Kalakar's Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This tale unfolds in a mysterious forest under the glow of the moon, where a young boy named Hoshi encounters a creature that changes his life forever. With themes of friendship, loss, and transformation, Dulanja's narrative invites readers to explore the depths of human connection and the magic that exists within unexpected bonds.

About the Work

"My Demon Wolf" is a captivating blend of fantasy and reality, where the boundaries between human and mythical blur seamlessly. The story is imbued with rich imagery and emotional depth, capturing the essence of a young boy's journey from loneliness to companionship. With a tone that balances suspense and warmth, Dulanja crafts a narrative that speaks to the enduring power of kindness and loyalty, embodied in the enchanting relationship between Hoshi and the werepuppy, Okami.

My Demon Wolf

Original Submission by Kachchakaduge Nethumi Dulanja

My Demon Wolf

At the edge of a dark, damp, bare forest, where the full moon shone seemingly brighter than the sun, a little boy was playing in the dark, where his grandfather always peeped out of the cottage window and warned him,

“Don’t go too far into the forest, Hoshi, it’s too dark out there” His grandfather’s withered voice were only whispers, and Hoshi failed to listen . His anxious grandfather was responsible for little Hoshi’s life ever since a devastating Tsunami wave dragged his parents away, never to be seen again.

Hoshi, unknowingly, let the bright moonlight guide him deeper into the unknown, where Hoshi realized the dread, he was lost. His eyes welled with tears, with both worry and guilt for not listening to the words of his grandfather.

The night was still, but the silence was deafening, bats screeched from the bare branches of the dark, and the winds howled like werewolves of midnight,

But only this time, the howl wasn’t a strong one, it was a whimper. Hoshi scanned the perimeter with steady eyes, and his legs were already ready to escape from any danger which awaited,

Slowly, the bushes rustled, Hoshi’s heart thumped, faster, harder with every second. Beads of sweat dripped down from his forehead. His wide eyes were glued to the rustling bushes, refusing the ache of his eyeballs.

Even though his legs screamed no, he decided to investigate.

Slowly, one step at a time, he approached the bush, and gingerly pushed the leaves apart with shaky fingers.

His heart dropped.

A helpless little puppy was curled up on the soft heather grass, and seemed to be peacefully sleeping, until Hoshi noticed something shocking. One of her front paws was blood red, it was wounded. Only she didn’t look like an ordinary puppy, her fur was too thick and grey, and she looked like she belonged to the wild. Her ears flinched in alert, just like a wolf.

She wasn’t just a puppy, she was a werepuppy. However, Hoshi, who was always warm towards animals, reached his palm, as a gesture of help. The little werepuppy looked back at him with supposedly fierce, but innocent eyes. She blinked. Once, then twice

Something about this boy was different. Humans were supposed to run away from fierce creatures like her, whether in pain or not, yet this boy had a brave heart to stop by and offer help for a mighty animal, like her. The little werepuppy realized that it was not fair to harm him, and

that she was in good hands. Slowly, she hobbled onto his little arms and curled up, soothed by the warmth of his kindness.

“You’re lonely too, aren’t you?” Hoshi asked the little creature, a teardrop spilled down from his cheek, as a memory of tragedy struck his mind. It landed on the little werepuppy’s coat of fur, and she looked up with fiercely innocent eyes,she found her first friend, an equal, who related to her pain.

“You need a name,” Hoshi said, examining the little werepuppy, “How about Okami” The puppy’s ears jerked

“That means wolf”

The werepuppy wagged her tail in agreement

“Okami it is” Hoshi chuckled as Okami licked his face

“Let’s get you home, buddy!” Hoshi said, and paused, “...if only I knew where was home” Suddenly, the little werepuppy began to sniff his shirt, and jumped down to the ground, “What are you doing?” Hoshi asked, “You can’t walk, remember?”

The little werepuppy sniffed the ground cautiously, and jerked her head up, as her tail rose upwards. She looked back at Hoshi, and jerked her ears forward in direction, almost as if she wanted Hoshi to follow her.

The werepuppy kept sniffing the ground and hobbled as Hoshi followed, when Hoshi realized that the little werepuppy had hobbled herself all the way to Hoshi’s little cottage. Hoshi smiled in satisfaction.

“You got me home!” he beamed, “I’m proud of you!” and scratched behind her ear.Hoshi lifted the puppy into his arms and carried her back into the cottage,

“Hoshi, how many times did I tell you not to wander in the forest!” His grandfather scolded, “You could have got hurt!”

“I’m sorry, grandpa!” Hoshi nodded his head humbly, “ I promise, I’ll never do that again!” Just then, his stern faded into a curious look as his gaze fell upon the furball in his hands. “Hoshi...who’s this?” His grandfather asked softly

“Oh, just a small werepuppy I found in the forest” Hoshi casually replied, “It looks like she’s hurt, so I thought maybe it would be nice of us to take care of her until she’s better!”

Hoshi’s grandfather came closer towards the baby wolf, as their eyes met, he knew that this was no ordinary wolf, but someone, who might or might not, bring bad omen to the family. Still, not having the thought to hurt Hoshi’s feelings, he hid that realization away from him.

“As long as she wouldn’t be in any trouble,” He said “She’s welcome to our family!”

Hoshi smiled and flung his arms at his grandfather, “Thanks grandpa!”

But only Hoshi’s grandpa knew who the wolf truly was…

The puppy's ears twitched again and looked up at the old man with careful eyes, almost as if he’d discovered her true identity.

“Don’t worry little one” Hoshi’s grandpa whispered, making sure Hoshi wouldn’t hear, “I won’t tell him”

The wolf happily wagged its tail in relief.

************************************************************************************************************* Time passed, and little Hoshi grew up into a teenage, handsome boy, the little puppy too grew up into a mighty werewolf.

But one day, tragedy struck, again!

Hoshi’s grandfather became terribly ill and he was spending the last stages of his life in bed. Hoshi didn’t want his grandfather to leave too soon, afraid that he will be left alone in his world. The werewolf immediately understood Hoshi’s plight, and ran as fast as wind, deep into the forest, in search for some herbs. Hunters came to capture her for fur, but her mighty howl and gnarly fangs chased them away, She ran deep into the forest in search for some herbs to cure her master’s grandfather.

Inside, Hoshi was worried sick without his companion, until the sound of footsteps amplified near the door, it was the werewolf, back with some herbs, and a mysterious silver flower which glistened under moonlight.

Hoshi’s grandfather saw the silver flower through her fangs, and the truth was verified instantly. She was not a wolf. But still, keeping his secret, he remained silent.

After weeks of herbal treatment, and rest, death finally arrived to take Hoshi’s grandfather away. Hoshi wept beside him, begging not to go, and explained his fear of having to stay all alone. Just then, his grandfather gave a small smile and whispered.

“Why should you be alone, when you already have a mighty wolf by your side?” he asked, “But grandpa, she’s just an animal!” Hoshi protested as his face grew curious.

“You never know, Hoshi…you never know…” Hoshi’s grandpa’s voice echoed as life left his body.

*************************************************************************************************************

Hoshi grew up alone, to an unbearably handsome young man. Many young girls and women sought his hand for marriage, but he refused them, as he realized they were not his type.

Hoshi survived in the cottage on his own, and as for the wolf, she had too become more majestic and mighty. But no matter how handsome he was, Hoshi’s life was never a bed of roses. Every night he grieved, at the loss of his grandfather. He lost his parents, and he was definitely not ready to leave his grandfather too. Life became unbearably lonely for him, as his cheerful expression slowly dimmed, until his life was completely consumed with heartbreak. Every day he would do nothing but stare at the cottage roof. People began to call him lazy, but Hoshi only knew what he was going through.

Except for one creature - his only wolf companion.

She had observed his grief and heartbreak, and decided that it was now time to erase his loneliness away, but no matter how much she tried to snuggle close to him to console him, he was never comforted.

She was heartbroken herself

He saved her

He protected her

He fed her

He gave her a home to live

And most importantly, he gave her a chance to live, without letting her die from excessive bleeding.

She couldn’t bear to see her master suffering

It was time to pay back for all the good deeds he’d done. It was time to reveal her true self…

One night, as Hoshi came home late from the marketplace, a sweet aroma of Japanese noodles drifted through the air. Tired and Hungry, Hoshi followed the scent, only to realize that it was coming from his very own cottage. His eyes were wide with surprise. Who was cooking inside?

Inside, a young maiden was cooking up a delicious meal at the little stove. Even though she was a young girl with jet black hair, she had a wolf’s tail, and wolf ears on her head

“Um, hi!” Hoshi said, “I’m home…I guess?”

“I know,” The maiden replied, “Or else I wouldn’t have been cooking for you, would I?”

Then she revealed herself

For a moment, everything around Hoshi froze

Her face…was heavenly…

Her hair cascaded smoothly like a waterfall at midnight

Her eyes twinkled like the stars of the moonless sky

And her skin seemed to glow under the moon

Her rosy lips stretched into a smile just like how a rose blossoms in the bare ground. Her eyes batted flawlessly like it was music.

And for the first time in years, Hoshi realized he had found his equal.

“Why were you cooking for me?” Hoshi managed to speak

“Isn’t it obvious, or else you’d be hungry!” She chuckled, and her laughter rang silver bells across the still night.

That laughter sounded more of a merry howl, which sounded extremely familiar to Hoshi Hoshi caught his breath as all the memories came rushing back.

A tiny werepuppy, lost and alone in the woods, was saved by little Hoshi who cared her with love and affection, and cured her bleeding paw, The mighty wolf who sat by his side whenever he felt lonely, depressed and consumed with heartbreak, that companion who helped Hoshi to let his grandfather survive, by running as fast as she could to gather some herbs, that one wolf who he had given a name…

“Okami…”

Her ears perked up.

“Yes, Hoshi?”

“It’s really you!”

“So?”

“I thought you were just a wolf!”

“Well, I still am”

Hoshi’s grandfather’s final words came rushing back to his mind, Why should you be alone, when you have a mighty wolf by your side…

“You wanted to help me, Okami?”

“Well, I couldn’t bear to see you cry like that when your grandpa died” She muttered softly, lowering her head.

And then her ears jolted again and shot a glance back at Hoshi, “Hoshi?” “Yeah”

“Eat!”

“Oh…I, um” He hadn’t touched the noodles bowl yet, and was going red with embarrassment “Hoshi,” Okami narrowed her eyes, “I can be naughty when I want to…” She let out a sinister smile, which revealed her sharp fangs.

Hoshi instantly knew what that meant

“Yes, ma’am!” He instantly grabbed his chopsticks and sat down to eat. Okami laughed, he was still that coward she knew.

As Hoshi ate, Okami sat beside him, “So, how’s the noodles?”

“It’s amazing!” Hoshi replied, “But I wanted to ask, how did you make these noodles when we barely had any vegetables in this house?”

Okami chuckled, and leaned closer towards Hoshi, “Want me to show you my secret?” Hoshi nodded.

She closed her eyes, and when she slowly opened, they glowed in crimson red, and her hair began to float, sparks emerged from her fingers as she made a cup of matcha appear out of thin air. Hoshi was speechless,

“How did you…?” He asked, “Okami?”

“Well, it’s a demon thing, better keep it a secret!” She winked.

“Wait, you’re a demon!” Hoshi gasped

Okami’s face went pale as her eyes went wide open in realization, “Whoops! Wasn’t meant to say that!” She laughed nervously.

Hoshi eyed her suspiciously, and scanned her from head to toe.

“Please don’t go mad,” Okami muttered to herself.

And a faint smirk appeared on Hoshi’s face,

“Okami,” He gave a sinister smile, “I think I’m craving for some sushi right now…”

Okami slapped her forehead as Hoshi began to laugh. But her annoyance was betrayed by the frantic wagging of her tail.

“Nice try to be drama queen, Okami, but your tail doesn’t think so!” Hoshi chuckled

“My tail knows nothing,” Okami declared, grabbing her tail instantly. Hoshi began to laugh so hard until his lungs hurt.

“Hoshi…” Okami narrowed her eyes, and revealed her sharp fangs again

“Sorry, ma’am!” Hoshi immediately went back to eating. But Okami knew that Hoshi was enjoying every single minute of it, and secretly, so did she.

As for Hoshi, he knew that she had somehow won his heart and completely erased his loneliness away, and he was, deep down grateful for it, and half-heartedly realized that this friendship had gone a bit too far, and he could see it in Okami too.

************************************************************************************************************* One night, where the moon was covered with storm clouds, Okami’s beautiful face went pale and helpless, almost like the time when she first met Hoshi as a wounded werepuppy.

Hoshi noticed her difference, he ran towards her side and took her fingers, “Okami, are you feeling alright?”

“I just don’t feel well, Hoshi, I feel weak.” Okami replied

Hoshi’s eyes were stung with tears once more, and Okami understood what it meant

“No Hoshi, I won’t die,” She comforted him after brushing her fingers on his cheek, “It happens to all wolf demons, when they can’t feel the moonlight, they feel weak. Just leave me alone Hoshi, let me rest, I’ll be okay tomorrow morning!”

“Okami,” Hoshi asked,

“Yes, Hoshi?” Okami responded

“About that silver flower you brought back home, when grandpa was alive, what’s so special about it?” Hoshi asked,

“Oh, I completely forgot!” Okami gasped, “It’s a special flower, Hoshi, you could’ve saved your grandpa, but I couldn’t speak back then,”

Hoshi stared back at her, wide eyed in shock, but Hoshi knew that back then, she was just a vulnerable wolf who was unable to speak, and yet, even though he had given him that flower, death would someday take him away, no matter how much he tried, it was something which was out of his reach.

“...Okay” Hoshi hesitantly turned around and left her room, and Okami knew that Hoshi was afraid of losing her, a loved one, but yet, Okami was determined to stay strong even through the moonless sky, for him, for her Hoshi.

But Hoshi had other plans…and far away, something else was brewing.

The story of the last, existing wolf-demon spread far and wide, especially her enchanting beauty, and reached the ears of the emperor.

“I want her here!” The emperor demanded his soldiers. “I’ll somehow make her my wife,”

“Your highness, are you out of your mind?” the soldiers asked, “You can’t possibly have a demon as a queen”

“I don’t care!” The emperor yelled, as greed consumed him more, “I want her here, and I mean, NOW!”

The soldiers obeyed his orders, and set off for the wild woods in search of the wolf-demon And Okami…had no idea that hunters were already chasing her down.

As for Hoshi, he was in search of the silver flowers deep, deep in the woods, his heart ached as he got reminded of Okami’s vulnerable face, and was determined to save her, she was his last hope.

A brief silence.

Click-clack-clock

The sound of hoofsteps began to amplify the forest, as Hoshi scanned the area, he realized that someone, or a troop of someones was approaching towards the forest. The men were on horses’ backs and was carrying a flame lantern to guide them through the dark forest.

Whoever it was, Hoshi had an extremely bad feeling about it, so he sprinted for shelter. “Hey, you, young man, STOP!”

Hoshi paused, and slowly turned his head around, and recognized who they were. The crest, the armor, and the weapons.

The Emperor’s army.

“Come here, boy, we’ve got some questions!” the captain scoffed.

“Questions?” Hoshi murmured.

“I believe you have heard about an angelic wolf-demon around these parts?” a soldier asked dangerously.

Hoshi knew who they were talking about, and his heart sank

Okami. But, he was not ready to reveal her

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t heard of her” Hoshi lied.

“Impossible, child!” The captain laughed, “Almost all the citizens know about her! You can’t be the only one who doesn’t know about her! Now stop lying, and spit out the truth!” he drew his sword and threatened Hoshi.

Hoshi clenched his fists, and yelled, “I’m not telling anything!”

“What did you say?”

“I said…I will not utter a single word!”

“Don’t you know what happens to people who defy the emperor, hmm?” The captain pointed his blade at Hoshi, as his voice screeched with rage.

Hoshi shivered, and his fingers trembled.

“Last. Chance!” the captain breathed heavily, “Where is she? Or else…”

“No!” Hoshi declared. “Try me, I won’t!”

The captain smiled…unkindly.

“Very well, then,” He smirked, “We’ll find her ourselves.” Then he turned to the soldiers, and began to give orders, “Alright, boys, let’s split up. If any of you found the demon, bring her back to me. If she refuses to come, I’ll take care of her. Now move, search every corner!”

Hoshi waited until all the soldiers left, and broke into a sprint

“Okami! OKAMI, where are you?”

Tired, and his feet sore, Hoshi collapsed to the ground. For a moment, darkness wrapped around him.

When he blinked his eyes open, he noticed some soldiers, and the captain had encircled him, and were eyeballing him wickedly.

“Thought you could run away from us, eh?” The captain snickered, “Too late, they found the girl!”

Hoshi’s expression went pale in horror, “...Wh-What?”

“You heard me!”

“No way… it can’t be…”

“Bring her in, boys!”

But, nothing happened. Slowly, with a nervous chuckle, a soldier spoke up. “Well, um, excuse me, captain, but…”

“But what?” the captain asked, “Where is she?”

“she escaped!”, and showed him the empty net.

“WHAT?” The captain raged, “You fools actually let her escape?”

“Sorry, sir”

“Well then, don’t just stand around here, you idiots, GET HER!”

Hoshi’s eyes twinkled, Okami had escaped, giving him another chance to find her. Hoshi began to sprint once again, and a howl erupted from afar

AWOOOOOO!

Followed with cheers of victory!

Hoshi had failed again, he ran towards the site, and saw a vulnerable werewolf with crimson red eyes, trapped in a net. They were the same familiar eyes Okami had, and Hoshi recognized the wolf right away.

Hoshi’s mind raced as he began to plot, and a sudden bright idea lit up on his head. “Well, captain,” Hoshi exclaimed, “You can take the wolf,”

They gaped at him, jaw dropped. The wolf too, jerked her ears in confusion.

“But, under one condition…”

“Go ahead, kid!” The captain grunted

“You should let me bathe it first from the nearby lake”

The crowd erupted with laughter.

“What?” Hoshi said, “Surely, she needs to look her best when she goes near the emperor, right?”

The crowd was filled with murmurs.

“Not a bad idea,”

“The kid’s smart!”

“Yeah, I agree”

“If I were that wolf, I’ll definitely take a shower”

“Ha! Nice one!”

The captain silenced the crowd, and turned towards Hoshi, “Can we trust you in this? I will have to send two soldiers to escort you.”

Another problem arose. Hoshi thought fast,

“Go ahead”

The captain agreed, and asked two soldiers to follow him. Along the way, he whispered to Okami,

“Okami, I have a plan, I’ll secretly release the net so you can escape, and then I’ll tell the soldiers you escaped, and fake a direction. While they are busy, I’ll grab another wolf around here and tie it to the net”

Okami nodded in agreement, and they finally arrived at the lake. As he released the net and took further steps away from the soldiers, he winked as a signal. Okami slipped from Hoshi’s arms and ran towards the bushes and disappeared from sight.

“Soldiers, quick!” Hoshi panted, wearing a panicked face, “She escaped, again!” “Where did she go?” They asked

“That way!” Hoshi pointed in the wrong direction at which Okami ran. “I’ll search from the opposite direction, just in case!”

The soldiers agreed, and ran out of sight.

Hoshi, meanwhile, ran towards the bushes, and snatched another identical werewolf, and tied it to the net.

When the soldiers returned, Hoshi showed them the net, and exclaimed,

“There you go! I found the wolf, and I bathed it too!” Hoshi exclaimed, “Look, she’s all dry, because I dried her”

“With?”

“A…towel! A really big one, of course!”

“She does look cleaner, as a matter of fact!”

The soldiers were satisfied, and took the net away from Hoshi.

Mission accomplished. He had completely tricked the army. The real Okami was free. “Okami, come on out, the coast is clear”

The werewolf trotted out from the bushes and snuggled beside Hoshi. He scanned the sky, the storm clouds gradually began to clear away, allowing moonlight to pierce through.

“Now let’s get out of here. You need some moonlight.”

Hoshi and the werewolf ran as fast as they could, away from the forest into a terrain, where moonlight showered the grass with silver. The werewolf stopped, and stared directly at the moon, with eyes glistening with untamed freedom and pride, and let out the mightiest howl she ever made

AWOOOOOOOOOO!

It was bold, wild, and free. Slowly, a whisk of light swirled around her.

Her paws became hands and legs,

Her fur once again transformed into that midnight black hair, and her ears and tails agreed to stay. Okami was back to her demon self.

“Hoshi, you saved me!” Okami squealed

“It’s just what friends do Okami” Hoshi shrugged

“Friends?” Okami smiled, and gently squeezed Hoshi’s fingers “I thought we were more than that…”

Hoshi’s heart raced. Okami had finally echoed the words of his dreams. Hoshi couldn’t take it anymore, he hugged Okami so tight that his heart refused to let go, Okami too, wrapped her arms around him, as teardrops spilled on Hoshi’s shoulder.

Under the silvery moonlight, Okami whispered, “ I love you Hoshi,”

Hoshi was stunned, but yet, he knew it was time to let his heart out, “Me too Okami…me too..”

A brief moment passed, and Hoshi broke the silence

“Okami?”

“Yes Hoshi?” Okami’s ears jerked again

“You still can transform into a werewolf anytime, right?”

Okami stared at her two palms, “Yeah, I guess so”

“Well then, the next time we’re going out, you’re coming with me as a wolf, we’ve had enough trouble for one day!”

Okami laughed, “Good choice Hoshi!”

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary creativity and expression. This platform invites writers from around the world to share their unique voices and stories, fostering a vibrant community of artists. The competition showcases diverse genres, offering participants a chance to engage with a wider audience and leave a lasting impact through their words.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kachchakaduge Nethumi Dulanja for sharing "My Demon Wolf" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your story of Hoshi and Okami has touched our hearts, reminding us of the transformative power of friendship and courage. We look forward to seeing more of your imaginative storytelling in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.