Snowforest Taiga morning star

Far away, the panther roused himself from uneasy sleep. The thin sound fading on the breeze might only have been the distant whistle of wind — but he blinked, suddenly alert, and leapt to his paws.

"Tulugak," he said, his chest seizing uncomfortably. He was not sure if it was elation or worry that gripped it so tightly, but for a moment, he could no more speak than he could sing. But he drew in an unsteady breath, and then another, and then on the third he sang back:

I cannot wait for dawn to break
So hurry on your way
Every day I hoped and prayed
To be with you again,

Now the panther hunted — he wanted Tulugak to come home to a fresh meal.