Ocean's Breath Plateau dentalium

his name is chakliux. he is a warrior of moontide. he crawls closer to come into the den and red leaf feels her belly tighten with nervousness, heart fluttering in her chest. she wanted to growl at him but could not bring herself to do so. his comments of akiak — the use of his sharadoii name, the implication that one day he will not have his father — what the hell was he talking about?
she is frightened and somewhat annoyed, as one would expect of an exhausted first-time mom, until he says the word seal hunters. she relaxes noticeably at this, looking at him now with a hint of curiosity. my mother used to tell me stories of the seal hunters, she tries to mirror his smile, but it seems as if it is unable to reach her eyes.
and then he asks if there is anything that she needs.
when was the last time someone had asked her that? it was such a simple thing, such a novel sentiment, and yet —
it broke her.
silently, red leaf begins to cry.