Noctisardor Bypass stay crunchy

A voice rumbled her out of a glassy-eyed stare into the middle distance. Haunt blinked, instinctively stiffening, and assumed a defensive posture: head low, spine straight, tail pointed backward. When her yellow eyes saw the speaker, her posture only grew more rigid. The greeting had been clear and friendly, though that wasn't a wolf, as far as she could tell.

She had only seen a bear from a distance, though the resemblance was there. Was it usual for a bear to share territory with wolves? And to communicate with them? She realized he smelled just like a wolf. Haunt's ruff stood on end, as did a ridge of fur down her backbone. She kept her eyes pinned on the bearlike creature, full of misgivings.