Ouroboros Spine opportunity is punishable by death

He shook himself, freeing his pelt of the water within his fur, but the hair still stood. It clumped together, standing like spikes about his form as he moved from the shore to the shade. He lingered beneath a tree as he passed brief howls back and forth with his mate. She'd find him soon enough.

In true fashion she approached him and nipped him with her teeth. He returned the gesture, nipping at her flank before tucking his nose beneath her underbelly and lingering there for a moment. Swollen. A warm grumble escaped him. Pleased with the progress of their young. He'd worried that with all her activity, her pregnancy would not fully take, but it seemed she'd passed those first fragile weeks and those within her had a greater chance to survive.

He turned, running his tongue across her nose affectionately before he nudged her and tipped his head to indicate she follow. He led them then, lingering in the shade of the trees as they circled the great lake towards where it met with the base of their mountain. Here, Salamander had discovered an entrance to a cave. He'd left her to share her discovery with Tonravik and took no claim to its finding, but he'd explored it all the same and knew what lingered inside.

Iqniq nudged her shoulder with his nose, suggesting that she take a look for herself.