The Heartwood roof of the world

The wind shifted, and her scent was carried to him. The smoky crow turned his head sharply and latched onto her with a wide-eyed and burning stare. She seemed interested in a scent that she had caught, but it did not help him to feel any more at ease with a wolf so near. Tadec forced the reminder on himself; be cunning and full of tricks. Though he remained stiff-limbed and ready to flee, the moonlighter offered a fluttering of his tail and a smile that shriveled on his dark lips. There seemed to be a hint of a welcome in his posture, and he waited to see if the female would approach, or if she would turn from him to seek her own fortunes in the wood.