Great Bear Wilderness the wolf bites back

mahina felt his presence trailing behind her, a quiet shadow that set her teeth on edge. she didn’t look back, not at first, but the faint sound of his paws against the damp ground grated against her patience. he was too quiet, too calm, and she hated the way it made her feel like the restless one.

“didn’t realize you needed me to lead the way,” she said flatly, throwing the words over her shoulder. she kept walking, ears angling back to catch any response, though she doubted he’d give one. he seemed the type to let silence or half-assed stares do the talking—a habit that was already getting under her skin.

still, she didn’t tell him to leave. maybe it was curiosity. or maybe it was the way his detachment felt more calculated than careless, like he saw something she didn’t. whatever it was, she let him follow, though her steps grew sharper, her tail flicking with a silent warning: stay close.