Having retreated back into her human form in desperation to stop injury’s pinging, she could not understand his language nor intuit what he wanted from her.
He stood there stiff-legged with hackles flared, growling at her and asserting his will – but when he realized that she couldn’t “hear” him in human form, his anger shifted into deep irritation and the intensity in his eyes began softening.
His aggressive direction backed down as he searched the perimeter with eyes, ears, and nose sensing and turned his side to her to indicate that he was there to protect her.
She carefully reached out and touched his thick and now smoothing luxurious fur, finding his warmth and comfort radiating out toward her as he accepted the gesture.
And when she laid down to rest again among the thickly piled fall leaves, he padded around her a couple of times – then curled his back up against her’s to provide needed support and keep watch as the night vigil’s guard for her.
Candid Corvid Productions 