Noctisardor Bypass it's easy for a slip to turn into a stumble

Laurel stared out across the lands ahead until she caught movement in the corner of her eyes. She turned her head and watched as a man came down one of the winding paths on the Bypass' mountainsides. She hadn't explored those herself, as she had not grown up on mountains and knew little of them. They were a bit daunting for someone in the middle of her life to try out now, although she had considered the thought. Maybe she ought to ask someone to guide her, some day.

Maybe him, said the voice, not in a helpful way — but in a way that suggested something else, that she wanted something else from him. Laurel gritted her teeth as she ignored the voice even as he added in sultry tones, dearest.

Instead she decided to focus on the wolf who seemed intent to just pass her by. There was a pit in her stomach; she felt as though she would crack from the pressure of approaching another man. However, Laurel pressed on, knowing she had to make the best of this new home. However much she loathed that, it included getting to know the rest of her pack mates. She had to push through this, somehow.

Her heart pounded in her chest and it must be clear to any wolf receptive of these signals just how nerve-wracked it was for her. There was a broad smile put on her face, a complete mismatch with how nervous she was, and she wagged her tail as she approached him and chuffed in friendly manner (unaware that he had thought to have gone unnoticed).