He raised both hands, whispering, “I’m trying to help.” The words were absurd. He was reasoning with an animal—but his voice trembled with sincerity. The wolf’s growl tapered into silence, though its teeth remained bared. A fragile stalemate. Adrian knew it would not last if he pressed his luck too far.
He tried another approach, inching sideways, circling to the opposite edge of the bank. The wolf pivoted, shoulders tense, but did not lunge. Adrian dropped to the mud again, leaning low, straining to listen. The cries came clearer here—thin, desperate, fading. He clenched his jaw. Time was vanishing.