The wolf’s growls softened into a low whine, its tail flicking nervously as it glanced at Marianne. “You see?” she said, her voice quieter now, almost pleading. “It’s trusting me. We can’t betray that.” The tension in the room was unbearable.
The officer’s hand hovered over his weapon, his jaw tightening. Finally, he let out a slow breath and lowered his arm. “I’ll hold off,” he said reluctantly, “but I can’t guarantee the same if things escalate.”