Thus far, every interaction that Tiarnan had with another wolf wasn't a conversation, or even a standoff - but a pure altercation in some manner. He was always on the receiving end of another creature's territorial behavior, and there was really nobody to blame but himself. He didn't know the language, didn't know what to look out for, and was too concerned with simply exploring. With his penchant for being caught unawares he had also become somewhat adept at another curious trick: figuring out what someone was saying without listening.
Yes, he heard the gargantuan wolf's sounds, but he couldn't translate many of the specific words. There was familiarity with some of them and a complete lack of understanding with others. Tiarnan did what he could - he lay low, prostrating himself beneath the silver beast until a sense of calm collected around them; it was still quite tense of a situation, but the pleased rumble issued forth from the stranger told Tiarnan all he needed. He was accepted, more or less. Being a captive was better than being dead... Not that he knew what the life of a slave entailed. Reaching with his streaked snout, the boy lipped and licked at the strongman's chin as a signal of utter obeisance.