Ouroboros Spine Stay Still And Breathe

Kodiak was aware that his tending brought her pain, but it was needed, for his tongue would gently cleanse any debris and dirt that had lodged in the wound. And though he had no such knowledge of it, his saliva contained compounds that aided in defense against infection while promoting blood clotting and healing. There was a reason this instinct had evolved with the wolf; if it was a detriment to survival, it would have died with the first to practice it. It was true, however, that there could be too much of a good thing and indeed, excessive licking could worsen a wound and encourage infection, but Tonravik would hardly allow the brown bear a few licks, let alone enough to have the opposite of the intended effect.

He pressed on, pausing only as she sprung backward and then shouldered past. But he dared another try, and she tolerated him, but only just. He managed a couple passes against her ear, before she jumped back again and warned him against another round with a bared tooth. Kodiak dipped his head, averting his gaze as he stepped back to allow her space. His attention then drew to the place where Kivi had fallen, and he cocked a leg over it, pissing an insult and a warning onto the ground, before he bid his Alpha a farewell with a wave of his tail. Iqniq had already gone.