Ouroboros Spine [j] rocks and mountains

His words were met with a sharp look. He, in seconds, had become what she had named him. There was no guessing to it, and she could sense that he knew that. Tonravik, too, shifted to press her furs into the other so that he might smell of them and their subordinates would know that there was another among them, now. Iqniq said his welcome, and Tonravik said no more.

The dark newcomer was welcome to follow them or to investigate the territory on his lonesome. She herself remained beside her mate, ear-to-ear and shoulder-to-shoulder as the bear of a wolf marched back home, to resume the evenings patrol.