Duck Lake hollow ashes

So consumed by thoughts had she been that she didn't even notice the other wolf until he spoke. Laurel visibly startled and her tail tucked between her hind legs in defensive response for a moment. Then she quickly pulled it up and over her back, her posture going from neutral through submissive to dominant in a matter of seconds.

Aware that the second of submission betrayed her fear but unwilling to show, Laurel said, her voice sharp: I was just having a drink. What are you doing here, apart from sneaking up on drinking women? Her eyes were filled with distrust -- he was tall, dark and his eyes held a sharpness that she distrusted, that reminded her of him -- me, dearest, say my name! he spat -- and all her muscles were tense, ready to flee if she must.