Grouse Thicket started from the bottom

An answer didn't come- and the howl he'd let out died quickly and a bit roughly, and she wondered vaguely if she'd caused him insult or surprise; maybe he'd thought he was alone in the thicket, and wasn't looking for company, except for the wolf he'd actually called for. Truth be told, it hadn't been terribly polite of her, to answer someone else's call...But she didn't exactly feel terribly sorry or ashamed for it. He knew she was in the area then, at least, so she could continue on without worrying about surprising him in person. 

She stopped in her tracks and perked her ears when he came into sight- at least, she assumed it was the same wolf who'd howled not so long ago. Her hackles bristled just slightly in surprise, but the tip of her tail waved from side to side, just as his did. He invited her closer, and she did just that, bobbing her head and pouncing forward with a playful bound which transitioned into a trot as she closed the distance between them, slowing once again to a walk and finally to a halt once she reached him. Her ears turned back slightly, and her tail lowered, still waving side to side. 

He looked like he was about her age, but it was really hard to peg a number on him. He was quite thin, indicative that he was about the same age as her, but the scars on his face could have suggested a bit more age and experience; had the right side not been so scarred, she might have properly been able to guess how old he was. Still- young like her, but not so young he couldn't survive on his own...Though he certainly looked like he'd had a rough time of it. Not at all put off by his rough appearance, Niamh dropped into a play-bow and tilted her head to the side. 

"Hey stranger," She said, "Wanna hunt? I'm hunnnngry."