Porcupine Ridge things my heart used to know

Approaching footsteps drew her gaze upwards, and she watched sheepishly as a female came to stand before her, having apparently seen her clumsy dismount down the Ridge. As the larger, unfamiliar she-wolf speculated at her, Diane noticed her posture shift into visible dominance—not that this seemed necessary for the newest follower of Tagg. Her ears pulled back, more out of embarrassment than anything, but the respect for the other was clear on her face. "Yes, I'm.. I'm okay. Thank you," the wolf said in a small voice; "Jhala." The name was spoken as an afterthought, testing it lightly on her tongue.

"I'm Dia—" A male was there suddenly, and she gazed up at him with wide, melting eyes. "Diane," she finished breathlessly, having had it stolen by the swift appearance of the Beta male, all earth tones and blue eyes. He glided to her side, his nose at her ruff as she inclined her head, nearly burying her nose between her splayed forepaws.

His nearness made her uneasy, and when he touched her—a kind graze against her cheek—a flashback occurred to the very last time she had been touched unexpectedly. She was being dragged out of the water, and remembering all the water sent her into immediate panic-mode. The traumatized wolf flinched harshly and cried out as if she had been touched by fire. Her yelp echoed off the cold rocks above them.

The scent of fear exploded from her glands, and she scuttled backwards, her forehalf bowed and her tail tucked tightly between her legs, plying itself against her belly. She whined, the strength of her fear ebbing as she mentally returned to her body, but by now the feeling was being replaced by a massive surge of uncertainty. Her reaction had been automatic and wholly unexpected by all parties, herself included. She looked to them both, eyes darting, avoiding eye contact, and entirely unsure if she should bolt or not. An apologetic whine crawled from her lips.

As a start, her tail began to wag from beneath her, so that even though her ears were pulled back in shame for her reaction, there was an effort to reassure them.