As I like here on my back, exposing my ebony belly, I cannot help but feel a sense of dread. Here I am revealing myself with such vulnerability. She is not like a normal wolf. She is slightly off sort of like my Mother in a way. I am risking my very life by staying in this position in such an environment. Here she could easily destroy me and leave me here to die perish. I would be here all alone. No one would dare to look for me here or even think to do such a thing. I would be forgotten with hardly a second thought. It is bitter and cruel to think such a thing. Yet that is something I used to feeling. It is still painful to feel unwanted. All I wanted was my Mother’s love, I wanted to wrap myself in her warmth and feel a Mother’s love. I fully believe that everyone deserved such a thing. Why was that something I could never have, why couldn’t I have received such a thing from my own? Was there something wrong with me? Is it wrong of me to demand the Fates to provide me with that loveable female touch that only a Mother could give to their young one? I cannot help, but think these dark thoughts as I am overwhelmed with the sudden realization that I may never be important. Yet as she inches closer to me that grunt whine causes me to stridden with apprehension. As her muzzle goes against mine I cannot help, but whine softly when I see her flash her teeth. Yet as her pink tongue washes away the traces of blood and pieces of meat from my own muzzle I cannot help, but whine softly. As she pulls away I cannot help, but stare into those blood red eyes rimmed by obsidian circles. My own muzzle lifts as I brush it gently against her own, as any girl would to their Mother, my pink tongue washes underneath her chin in a tendered manner.

I roll over to my feet gently lifting myself upwards. Keeping my form low I extend my muzzle again and this time rub it gently against her own. My russet banner swaying side to side behind me. This massive she wolf had not attacked me and I cannot help, but be thankful. As I move my muzzle against hers I am not realizing that I am acting as any puppy would to their Mother or that she is treating me like her own puppy. I inhale her scent and gently brush my forehead underneath her chest. Surely in this position she can see the scars that Tobias had left between my neck and shoulder. I whimper softly again and this time I back away and sit on my haunches. With a puppyish bark I lift my paw and I bat the air in front of her, unsure if she would allow me touch her again. My tail continues to sway side to side as a playful growl erupts from my throat. I am not sure what her intentions are with me and what I am to her, but I am still a puppy and I have yet to act like one. Perhaps it is my nerves mixed in with the need to release the tension and apprehension I felt from her, one that allows me to believe in the false hope that I am safe. I stand back on my crimson paws and lower my upper half to the ground, a play bow of sorts, hoping indeed that this older female is willing to keep me around…perhaps she will not try to kill me like I thought she would. My voice is so soft and raspy, my voice barely used, as I speak to her.

“My name is Raven…like the bird…what is your name?”