Bearclaw Valley i've seen their worlds inside my head

astara's tail was dropped; she canted an ear towards the red jellybean as she made for merrick, unaware of the tenuous tension that hung in the balance.

avicus stayed by her side; either out of self-preservation, or paralyzing fear.

astara remained still as she watched merrick levelly. how would he meet his dam born-again? she tensed, ready for that flash of teeth, ready to fling all aside and fight for her child's right to life -- only to have the bear-chief stoop to his red child's level and brush her tenderly.

a ripple of something foreign seized astara's heart. she met the bear's gaze as he brought his muzzle towards her in the first initiation of contact they had had in weeks (how many other women had he touched in her absence, she wondered maliciously). half tempted to yank her limb from merrick's reach, astara inhaled roughly from her nose -- and then gave in with a single thud of her tail against the stone floor in acceptance.