Marianne lit a candle, the small flame flickering and casting dancing shadows on the walls. Slowly, she placed it on a low stand. The wolf’s gaze followed the light, but it didn’t back away. It seemed to sense Marianne’s intention was not aggression but compassion.
By candlelight, Marianne could see that the little animal had a wounded flank. Clumps of fur were missing, and its breathing was shallow. This discovery heightened Marianne’s urgency. She thought of how frightened and protective the wolf must be, bringing an injured animal to a human sanctuary.