Words: 300+
Hope you don't mind me stealing your thread!
Coli had stayed out in the snow, after Alexey Koios left to return to their pack territory. The shy wolf chose instead to wander around the deserted buildings a little longer, comforted by the wintry solitude. She was more and more reluctant to return to her new home... after all, there were some wolves there she had never wanted back in her life, and yet, there they were... Not to mention the baby brothers that had been born mere days after her arrival. She was suddenly a big sister? Despite the fact that her father had disowned her over a year ago, leaving her broken and bleeding by herself, she still felt as though these new children deserved some of her attention. Her mind was in a whirl, insecurities battling duties, when she spotted... him. A stranger, a lone wolf.
She froze, frightened blue eyes stark against the white snow around them, but he was too preoccupied to notice her beside the wall. As she watched, the earth-furred male dragged himself inside the university, disappearing within. Coli shifted from footpaw to footpaw, her curiosity yearning to follow the crippled man, but her fearful personality telling her to leave him to his own devices. Alexey had imparted some confidence to her, though, and she squared her slim shoulders, steeling her nerves to step inside after him.
Sheltered from the chill winds, Coli pulled the heavy door shut behind her, keeping as quiet as she could. It wasn't to startle the poor fellow, it was merely an instinct she had honed to avoid being attacked. She was afraid of pain, of being driven away, but she was on neutral territory now. Shouldn't she be safe? Following his lonely scent gingerly up the steps, Colibri peered into the doorway. The dark-brown wolf was sprawled on the small human bed, clearly distraught over something. She trembled, brushing her hand against the narrow doorframe, as she suddenly felt bad for having witnessed his grief. It wasn't as though she could comfort him - she was at least as broken as he, although her crippling had been internal, wholly breaking her spirit. "I... should go," she exhaled softly, hoping he wouldn't startle easily, and bowed her head in apology.
