With difficulty she cut through the last rope and sat back on her heels, panting with exhaustion. It was late in the afternoon now, closer to evening. The sun was setting, and twilight encroached on the land. She’d be late getting back to the cottage.
The pup stood and stretched, then moved to stand right in front of her kneeling form. He looked her in the eyes and sniffed her face, before leaning closer and giving her cheek a lick with his tongue. It was a clear thank you.
Hello, pup. I’m Thalaea, she sent, figuring introductions were in order.
His reaction was unexpected. The wolf’s eyes widened and he bolted off through the forest.
“Wait!” she called, getting up and running after him. She tripped over herself, her legs a bit asleep from her extended kneeling on the ground. Stumblin
