Porcupine Ridge birthday in noir

her birthday. vuk had been far removed from the world of her own kind, but this she understood. diane's words were greeted with an excited chuff and fling of the tail, only to be followed by a low whine, an empathetic backward tilt of her ears, and, if the other agreed, a gentle brush of vuk's muzzle against diane's shoulder. speech she did not have, but emotions she understood. 

she was given half of the kill, and hesitated only a moment before heeding diane's words, devouring the gamy meat with an obvious relish. licking the blood from her jaws, vuk gave the melancholy packmate an encouraging turquoise glance. what could they do to cheer her?