The stranger calmed, tension bleeding away. Good.

Devika remained seated, letting the silver decide how this meeting would unfold. Her ears flicked in quiet acknowledgment, her tail giving a single, soft thump against the cool earth.

A small part of her wondered if things might have been different, had she been able to speak. The stranger didn’t seem fond of words, but perhaps Devika could have explained herself—bridged the quiet gap between them. But there was no point in dwelling on impossibilities.

Still, she couldn’t help but question herself. Was she being naive, assuming the best of this lone she-wolf? Perhaps the calm posture was nothing more than a well-crafted show.

Yet even so, Devika saw no reason to prepare for a fight, no need to bristle or posture.
So she waited.