Cerulean Cape snakes and ladders

Rowan ambles along, his steady march along the coast. Footsteps sounded, and his ears pricked towards the source. Small, quick. Thinking it were a hare, he turned to see...what is that?
Before he could process this wolf-like being, it had bounced up and begun sniffing him intently. His tail rose, stiff and a slightly wavering as he stared at her intently. 
She leapt back. Scary and going to eat her?

"You are not worth chewing, so forget being eaten."
He started towards her, keeping his eyes fixated on her and stiff legged, all displays of dominance as he towered over her. 

"What are you?" He was surprised it spoke. Let alone asked for his name.