Bearclaw Valley bittersweet

curled tight.

clutched between crossed forelimbs was the deer femur he had given her. her teeth marks had met the grooves of his own along it. she had known then it would bond them, she just realized how much.

it was why she did not jolt in a panic when she realized it was him. content to unfold her sleep-stiffened limbs.

what? she tiredly grumbled as a paw swept at her face. she was waking up and soon she'd be upright, but a little protest was to be expected from a growing girl.