He freezes.
Doesn't move.
Doesn't even breathe.
I reach farther.
My fingertips brush the end of his nose.
Warm.
Soft.
Real.
His eyes flutter closed.
Another tiny whine escapes him, but this one feels different.
Hopeful, maybe?
I place my whole palm against his muzzle.
“Oh, wow.”
Fresh tears spill.
“You're real.”
A deep rumble starts inside his chest.
Not a growl.
A purr.
Or whatever the Wolf equivalent of a purr is.
Carefully, like he's asking permission, Rand the Wolf nudges his face into my hand.
I laugh.
It's watery.
Broken.
Half laugh.
Half sob.
“I'm sorry I didn’t believe you.I didn’t know.”
Another gentle nudge.
“And I was scared.”
He licks my fingers.
The gesture is so unexpectedly sweet another sob escapes me.
