”But we can leave if you really want.”
Red was tempted — sorely tempted by these words to bolt. To run, flee, with her tail between her legs, ears flat on her head. Except… then she remembered that she had faced down Fox and her minions not but a few weeks before now. And she had — somehow — not been afraid then. So why be afraid now? The Swiftcurrent Alpha’s namesakes were most likely harmless. Generally wolves/coywolves and foxes left each other alone. They probably felt a little annoyed at having their forest barged into, but they’d get over it.
With a whoof, Red removed herself from Fang’s side and moved a few paced forward, farther into the forest. She turned to look back at Fang over her shoulder, to invite him along, and suddenly realized how close they had just been. She gave him a shy smile, tail wagging a little bit. She wasn’t always confident in exactly what emotion she felt around Fang. Sometimes it was friendship. Other times it felt more than that. He had not pushed her away from him, either, which made her curious, She did not think that maybe the reason he hadn’t pushed her away was because he was too busy being afraid. She didn’t think he could be afraid. He was always so relaxed about everything.
She shook her head, facing forward again. Now was not the time to figure out her emotional/relationship status with Fang. Now was the time for exploration. And she would keep it that way… as long as she made herself never look into his pretty, pretty golden eyes…