Cedar Sweep If it's true

By the time Oryx caught the scent of the male, and had begun to slink in the opposite direction, it was already likely too late for her to get away unnoticed. She avoided gazing into the distance, as though to will the other to simply turn and leave her be; any attention, for Oryx, was often unwanted attention, and so keen were the eyes that watched her from a distance that she could feel them sifting though the fur of her nape, running along the curve of her spine. 

When at last she turned to cast her bewildered gaze in his direction she noted first his size, and second the build and shape of him. He dwarfed her, which made her shrink all the more to know how easily she could potentially be overpowered. She'd scented wolves in this area, but not scent markings. She was certain now that she'd caught Arlette's scent, but this male was not one of the wolves from Easthollow. He was a giant, like Greyback- but something glinted in those lantern eyes that made her feel as though she was coming unravelled in front of him, against her will. But Oryx was a submissive creature- and while she remained ready to sprint away if he moved too suddenly, she crouched and hid her tail between her hind legs as a show of deference, hoping that might appease him. 

The term of endearment caused the fur along her nape to prickle. And the word he'd spoken; Saints- had she heard it before? She could only recall the word Ursus in relation to a pack that was dangerous, little else. She'd blocked out what she could. 

He'd asked her a question, so she answered in a high voice that was little more than a peep. "I thought...I smelled my friend nearby."