Its coat hung heavy with saltwater, darkened and tangled from the sea. Bright amber eyes remained fixed on Noemi, so intense that she could hardly look away. Every muscle in her body tightened as questions flooded her mind. Should she flee? Stay perfectly still? Attempt to frighten it off?
Her heartbeat pounded louder with every passing second, yet the wolf made no move to attack. It released a quiet, sorrowful whine and began to circle a short distance away, never once breaking eye contact. There was no hostility in its behavior. It seemed to be waiting for her.
Noemi slowly pushed herself upright, her breathing shallow. Her thoughts raced. Could it be separated from its pack? Was it wounded? Wild wolves rarely sought out people unless something unusual had driven them to do so.