Phoenix Maplewood graphite

Druid felt that growl deep in her very core. She answered it with a breathy one of her own that tapered off into a whimper. It was such a silly sound, though she didn’t feel embarrassed. In fact, she repeated it when the Wealda’s snout moved to her ruff. This time, the noise became a low rumble of approval, though sooner than she would’ve liked—well, she would’ve been thrilled in that moment forever—Redd drew away.

She just barely swallowed the whine of dismay that wanted to eke out of her next. Would the Wealda return to her castle now, perhaps to await the return of her prince? But, no! Druid’s heart leaped when Redd very clearly invited her to come along. She didn’t know where she hoped to go or what she hoped to do but there was no hesitation on her part. Druid fell into step beside her.

Taking advantage of this touch barrier they’d crossed, she pressed her shoulder into the red woman’s. Her tail remained lower than Redd’s, swaying from side to side, feathering over the other wolf’s leg. Every point of contact thrummed with some energy Druid didn’t understand. She embraced it for all its unfamiliarity, leaning into it the way her body leaned into the Wealda’s, moving in remarkable synchronicity.