Moonspear ^_________^

Treepie grinned as her mother stroked her head and validated her identity. It was a little disappointing to be reminded of the long time frame, though she knew what to expect—at least, in theory—based on their aforementioned talk.

I’ll keep practicing on Tiki, she joshed, before falling into a thoughtful silence for a few beats. I know. You said mothers give birth in the spring or summer. It’s summer now, then autumn, then winter, then spring again.

She paused in case Sialuk needed to correct any of that, her tongue swirling thoughtfully over her teeth before poking her cheek. She remembered anaa mentioning that wolves could reproduce around their second birthdays, which meant she would have to wait for another cycle of seasons.

But the head wouldn't, prompting the child to ask, Will you have more babies next spring, anaa?