“Ravenous” could not fully encompass the hungering River felt for the touch of another. She felt the sensation as surely as she felt the moisture on her tongue or in her… well, you know. It had taken much to liven her, to endear her to the thought and feel open to receiving bodily pleasures once more. It had taken years of loneliness and self-sabotage and stagnation, but now the train was going, and it would not come easily to a stop.

She came to the sands at sunrise, and it was clearer this day than it had been in days past. Silver eyes glanced the ocean and its inlet pool, but she did not admire it, as she felt keen to move inland again. For who would be able to smell her over all this damned saltscent? How was she going to get her rocks off if no one could track her!

River howled in frustration, singing a song of chaotic want and exquisite need.

Building his own lodge would take time and materials, more than what his father might gift to him. This was part of the ritual of it all: to prove to himself he was capable, beyond what his scars might denote. To prove to those of his family as well that he could subsist as his own separate entity. So, he ranged far for what he needed. He would not ask for help, but would accept gifts if others saw fit to give them, because that was polite and expected.

As he moved across the bay, he kept his focus on the various objects netted in the weeds. There were arbutus branches with their orange-brown paper-thin bark; there were pieces of driftwood shaped purposefully square with odd stones (nails) wedged in to them, rust-covered, so they smelled almost like blood; there was even a segment of some small animal, spine and tail, but he didn't see the value in that.

While hunting, someone else prowled the beach who he didn't see, but he did hear. Their song carried across the stillness of the water and Raiyuk lifted his head to peer around for them, bright-eyed.

Aggrieved, River turned from the sea, loping easterly along the coast until her eyes became trained on another wolf. At first, her approach was buoyant, excited to greet another potential suitor – but the closer she came, the more apparent it was that this was no stag. He was hardly more than a button buck with its first nubs!

She slowed to a stop, tail lashing. This wouldn’t do. What could this boy possibly give her other than a promise ring?

When she came in to view, Raiyuk kept an eye on her and saw how agitated she appeared; although, maybe that was the wrong word. She held a liveliness that the boy had not seen before.

For some reason a memory flashed to mind of two adults in the throes of—well, he wasn't sure what he had seen then on the plains, but there was a familiar scent clinging to the woman before him, which sent a thrill down his spine.

She looked at him as if to appraise what she saw, and did not appear pleased. Raiyuk felt as if that look implored he prove himself in some way, and so he moved closer, trying to show off his movement, the strength of his body, his scars—dancing before her without really knowing why.