Witch's Marsh prettier and younger but not any better off

the voice that floated to him was alluring enough, though he wasn't sure at all of the words. maybe one or two— what? surya asked aloud, looking around. finally, his eyes landed on a thin young. . .wolf? no, too small. woman, for sure. but smaller than any wolf he'd seen.

were you talking to me? he continued, padding slowly toward her. he hopped atop a fallen tree, scrabbling a little to keep his balance before settling on his haunches. he kept a distance from her, wary. not that he had any reason to fear her. . .yet. she hadn't given one.

and certainly it would be hypocritical of him to be afraid based on her foreign tongue, given that he spoke a different language from most of the wolves here. he tilted his chin, looking for all the world like a bold but confused little boy, lost in the woods.