Morningside Cuesta skaiplei

Only when she spoke did he realize he was talking to a she-wolf.

Hanze retreated a step – sensitive to even the insinuation of womanly scorn – though his gaze held fast to hers. The rain trickled down his brow, framing lusterless eyes and a dark face, before falling in tiny rivulets down the length of his downturned nose. He saw that the sag of her belly was not from age or infirmity as he might have guessed, but from a recent whelping. And where she had once appeared thin by his estimation, he now saw a drained mother, muscles visible under fur slick with the rain. She was wiry; she could hurt.

He had questions, too many to count. Still, his eyes cut toward the deer, narrowing thoughtfully. There didn’t seem much to lose here, only gain.

Long as you share, he decided. Her plan was already clear to him, as they shared a true hunter’s clever mind and cunning heart. She needn’t explain, and he would not waste time asking which role she preferred. This was not a sport to him. I will retrace my steps and press them this way. You must be ready. It wasn’t a question. His focus had narrowed to a laser’s point.

feel free to PP him disappearing + starting the chase out of her view!