Black as night, quiet, slinking closer.

She is shy, so I don’t watch her.

She must be the one to decide.

Now behind me, to my left.

My gaze forward, as if unaware.

Casually reaching back,

Right hand low and palm up,

I wait.

A soft sniffing and the feel of a wet nose on my hand.

I reach further scratching under her chin.

Though shy and skittish, she moves in.

My gaze forward still,

Turning so my arm is not strained,

I scratch lower.

Unsure, she sniffs up my arm

As I stroke between her front legs.

Her fur soft, silky and luxurious.

She moves up, nose resting on my shoulder.

I turn to her. 

Her eyes a luminous amber,

She looks at me.

I return the gaze,

Finally acknowledging her.

Her lips part,

Baring her teeth.

I do the same.

She leans in,

So do I.

Our teeth touch,

A soft click,

A moment’s kiss.

Then it is over.

She steps back.

That one touch all she could manage

Before her fear stepped in.

Still, it is a treasure.

She overcame her nature to say hello,

Then raised her guard, 

For she is only four months old

And the world is yet a scary place.

She is Saurya,

And she is a majestic Grey Wolf.