Meadowlark Prairie Retreat into your mind

Her observation of him continued, witnessing his stillness. She could leave, she'd realized, and head off for less populated areas. Yet, the longer she'd allowed for herself to gaze at him, for her own anticipation to build up, it was made clear that she wouldn't. He would serve as a guardian, she'd told herself, anything that he might do being to keep the other wolf at bay. To admit that she was interested, that she could desire a physical connection, would not happen. It was out of the question for her to verbally confirm anything, but she didn't need to, either. No words were necessary, her actions being enough.

A step had been taken towards her, but even then her mind had not shifted away from the decision made. Again, she'd moved towards him, but this time, she hadn't stopped. Her body had inched forward, halting only when she was close enough to reach out and touch him—which she had gladly done. Her muzzle had been lifted, nosing his jawline, and granting him permission to proceed. In the back of her mind, she'd repeated over and over that it was not because she needed him, but because she needed protection. Yet the more the words played within her mind, the more distant that they'd seemed to grow, until finally the thought had faded altogether. It was something she needed—he was someone she needed.