Porcupine Ridge precious and fragile things

The exacerbated cut on his foot's hide would heal fine with no permanent damage, but the current pain it created was unsettling for the large brute. Dovev had scaled the ridge specifically to lay claim to the surrounding outcroppings and valleys that would soon become entrenched in snow. He did not suspect anyone would even venture this far into the uplands. There was nothing here. The male could hardly even imagine how he would scrape out a living, save for hunting down the odd mountain goat or small prey eking out a living within the sparse trees.
His body was firmly planted on the ground, cranium twisted to gaze vacantly on the oncoming female. Even the slightest nuance was picked up by Dovev's keen observations as she spoke. You are hurt. There was nothing threatening or challenging in her tone or stance, and there was no reason not to. The land was a desolate field of craggy rocks and grass, with pine forests rimming the lengths. But the male was drawn here, and presently he knew the area would provide some length of shelter and perhaps sustenance. His iridescent pools lost their dangerous glint, and his breath pooled in a steamy cloud from his muzzle. No matter how he acted, right now was not the time to be picking a fight. Even if his paw was only slightly bent up. With healthy respect for their distance, Dovev shifted slightly, the crunch of tough autumn grass crackling under his pawpads. I imagine it'll be fine in a few days, he responded in a placated tone that carried a subtle undertone. The male had one eye trained on her, and was ready to turn and snap at any moment. There would be no hesitancy.