The wolf looked up from the rest of his front paws, husky-dog baby blues and the mottled fur of his brow set into that permanent concerned expression all canines are masters of. Looking for all the world like a concerned play thing begging for a walk. Playing the pet didn't bother him any, young alpha or not, Atticus didn't have any sense of an ego to bruise, as far as he was concerned this act made ends meet, it got him from A to B, if she could trust him like that then bully for him! You caught more flies with honey than vinegar!<br/><br/>Much to his dismay the young woman rose to the bait, creeping forwards on that thin frame of hers, every step melting delicate prints in the snow, the wet dew glistened on the bare skin of her arms, caught in her hair in droplets like beads on a necklace, her pale eyes wide (not that he had any idea of the colour, the wolf in him was colourblind) whites on display. She was like a deer caught in the headlights or an injured and cautious animal.... but now she was, were he human, in arms reach.<br/><br/>And, in these smoke ridden woods, in very real and very present danger and she looked to be in shock.<br/><br/>Atticus rose gingerly and crept forwards, tail between his legs, whining softly, sympathetically. Approaching her in full knowledge that it was probable she'd startle and bolt at any minute. This was the worst case scenario.<br/>If Lute found her out in the wilderness he'd kill her, strip her down to the bone for food and knock up a gourmet soup with all the leftovers and a vat of acid to be on the safe side. No doubt about it. Dealing with witnesses, unknown elements and avoiding police investigations was his forte. Skills that came au natural to the boy, talents he'd fine tuned down to a fine art. Atticus was willing to bet good money that he'd been Jack the Ripper in a previous life and come back twice as experienced and only slightly mellowed with age.<br/><br/>Fuck me Freddy, Lute was wound up tighter than a drum with paranoia that evening and he didn't want to be there when the shaky tethers to his patience snapped...<br/><br/>It was a small blessing he'd found her and not his enforcer.<br/><br/>The wolf crossed the space between them, slinking low and reached his muzzle out to timidly lick her hand. It was a gesture of greeting amongst the local towns dogs, hopefully she'd understand it as exactly that...