Bearclaw Valley bittersweet

Cole lowered himself beside her with a slow, deliberate motion, the morning chill biting against his fur as he settled into the cloudy quiet. His large paws gently nudged Annie, gathering her up in one easy motion before placing her snugly between them. For a moment, he swathed her in the warmth of his frame, his chest rumbling faintly as he sighed. He, too, grabbed her bone she coveted and place it between her paws.

Prey’s out early, he murmured after a beat, his voice low and steady. You feel like huntin’? Could use a good stretch. His muzzle dipped slightly as he glanced at her, letting her decide if she’d rather linger or rise to the call of the morning.