Heron Lake Plateau There were three ravens sat on a tree

Why did everybody say that? "I mean you no harm." Was that really supposed to soothe Odessia's nerves? Actions would always speak louder than words, and every cell in her body was telling her moments ago that this coyote really meant her a lot of harm. How was she supposed to flip that around on its head after a couple of seconds?
Odessia certainly did not want to die today, but at least this coyote now appeared like she did not want to kill her. She was slightly less threatening-looking, although it probably helped that Odessia had peed herself. If that was not the most unthreatening thing one could do, she was not sure what would compare.
It was not until the black coyote mentioned the smell that Odessia felt some of the outright fear seep away from her consciousness—although it was still very much in her subconscious. It helped that there was a compliment about her stealth thrown into the mix, too. That and the fact the stranger did not mention that Odessia had leaked all over herself.
She was still on edge, but Odessia's ears rose a fraction of an inch, and she adjusted herself so she could clean the underside of her tail and the wet spot near her hips. It may have been gross to a human, but cleaning one's self was just another day in the life of a wolf.
"There is some bear dung back there," Odessia said between licks.