Otter Creek Shine & Shade

He was interested. So was she. She lined herself up with his flank, each canid body facing in the opposite direction. Her tail lifted an inch more, moving with a controlled sway. An invitation for him to scent her, while she nudged gently at a firm hip. It was the most basic form gathering scent.

Then, they were interrupted. Quite suddenly, on her opposite, exposed side, a second agouti colored male appeared. Coming in close to sniff at her, without the bodily cues if he were invited, like the exchange between she and the black male. Side stepping, she moved to begin circling him tightly. She had only completed a half circle when the big male lunged, teeth snapping. 

Her position as such allowed her to step back and out of the way. Observing the exchange of dominance from one wolf to the other. Both of the same pack, judging by the ritualized display of brutality. As an outsider and a female, Aliki was not interested in being caught up in the dispute. But her gender also allowed her to potentially get away with more, with only two males in her company. As by their nature, wolves tested for weakness. On the fringes she circled, ears and tail erect, watching for the telltale signs.