Sawtooth Spire Mollusus

The chaos outside ebbed. He too, could smell the blood, but his focused countenance remained and still his paws did not move. Then his father's howl rang, and his ears cupped forward to receive it. By instinct, he felt the message in the solemn song, and as his mother tipped her head back to join him, shuffling to the mouth of the den, he stepped forward to do the same. His red crown inclined back, and from his mouth a soft howl rose up to mingle with those of his parents and pack. It was harmonious in its sorrow.

By the time their mourning had subsided, the tense readiness had left his body. He turned back to his siblings, and after nosing and sniffing each of them, he was content that all was well and he laid down in front of them, resting his jaw across his forelegs. His blue gaze were on their mother as she pulled in the carcasses of the defeated. Though he was curious, he would close his eyes and be claimed by sleep, tired from his first efforts of guarding his family.