She raised the plank higher, elbows locked, trying to look bigger the way wildlife videos advised. “Stay back,” she said, voice shaking. The growl dropped to a heavy silence. Then the wolf bared its teeth—long, perfect, the color of polished ivory—and let out a sharp warning bark that echoed against the dunes.
The sound punched fear straight through her bravado. The plank felt suddenly ridiculous, like cardboard against a knife. Her grip slackened. She pictured the wolf lunging, her flimsy shield snapping, those teeth closing on bone.