Emberwood hunger

A loud pop resounded after the pup's impact, followed by the unmistaken yelp of pain. "Oh..shit..." Anita mumbled under her breath, bracing herself to see what had just happened. Before she could see the damage, the wolf was up again. Fortunately, as quickly as he was up, he was back down, as if someone had tripped him out from underneath his feet. She shook her head. Was he really going to keep on running from her?

The girl sighed, picking her way carefully towards the boy, who was now curled up in a protective ball. It seemed that no matter what she said, he would not listen. She was done with trying to seem nice --sugarcoating seemed not to send the message.

"I am not going to kill you or hurt you," she said firmly, putting emphasis on the "not" part. "I am here to help you, and that is it."