Wapun Meadow in the way you're walking,

he listens to her murmur, her words carrying a weight that echoes through him. unity. it’s a word he hasn’t thought much about in a long time. for most of his life, strength had been a solitary endeavor, something sharpened in isolation. but here, now, with rala at his side, the word takes on a new shape. perhaps it’s her voice, her conviction, or simply the undeniable truth in her words. whatever it is, it stirs something in him.

we’ll bring it down together, he murmurs back, the accent of the north rolling over the syllables. his gaze flicks to her briefly, catching the way her eyes narrow in focus, the determination etched into her every move. she is a huntress, through and through, and tvar feels a flicker of admiration rise unbidden in his chest. he is happy to now, finally, see her in her element. as she leads, tvar adjusts his stride to match hers, his larger frame moving with a surprising amount of precision for a wolf of his size. the deer lifts its head, antlered and alert, but tvar remains patient, waiting for her cue. he feels the familiar rush of anticipation building—the kind that always precedes a chase, a fight, a kill. but this time, it’s different. this time, he’s not alone.

tell me where you want me, snowbird. he’s already calculating the angles, reading the terrain and the wind, but he’ll defer to her lead. this is her hunt, her purpose, and he’s here to support her, to be what she needs him to be in this moment.

together, they are stronger. together.