"You have a Pack," Ootat breathed, taking a split moment to command her decision before settling pale haunches into the wet grass. "I can smell them on you, many, many wolves - a family." Indeed the young pup was infested with the scent trail of wolves, so many that Ootat could only wonder how large the actual Pack was. It begged the question nagging at the edges of her mind, where were they? A Pack was unpredictable, they might come from nowhere seeking their youth, ready to defend against any threat. This was not something the she-wolf could handle, fighting was not her strong suit, it was a last resort should any true danger arise, and more often only when cornered. It had been many long moons since she had been cornered, an experience she was wan to have again. Yet... sitting there, tail curling and uncurling out of habit, watching the young she-wolf gaze up at her in confusion, and loss; Ootat was compelled to remain put.
"No pup should be Alone." The words dripped away from her tongue, thick and heavy like molasses, a syrup of nostalgia oozing through the veins of her memory. The phrase held a lot of meaning for Ootat, it was the beginning of an end she was still running from. Or so this is what she told herself, this is the motivation she drew from to keep going, to give speed to her paws. This, is perhaps how she managed to relate to the pup, small but not tiny - growing, and fast. This creature was beautiful really, freckled and brown like the earth, eyes bright and green like the grass she rested in. This child was harmless, this child was lost, this child was Alone in her own weird way. "And you are not, I am here. I will protect you." Ootat exhaled deeply "It is not a matter of strength, rather than a need. Everyone must face their fears eventually, the sooner you get it over with, the easier it will become." Or you will disappear into yourself her heart pounded you will become your fear, she swallowed her misgivings in peaceful quiet.
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