Bonesplinter Ravine pack it up

elowen stirred at lorcan’s nudge, her ears twitching as his breath warmed the cusp of her fur. a soft murmur escaped her as she blinked her eyes open, bleary and slow. for a moment, she stayed there, nestled against him, reluctant to move from the comfort of his warmth.

“already?” she whispered, her voice still heavy with sleep. she rolled onto her side, watching as he stretched and shook himself free of the night’s chill. there was a certain beauty in how he moved, so sure and strong, even in the early light of morning. her lips curved faintly upward, a flicker of fondness slipping through the haze of waking.

she rose to her paws soon after, the cold biting at her as she shook out her pale fur. her gaze followed his to envy, perched high and distant, her shape a sharp silhouette against the lightening sky. something in the way the other wolf carried herself—aloof and far away, but not quite detached—stirred an unease in elowen. she pressed closer to lorcan, as if his presence alone could steady her.

as he chuffed to envy, elowen cast her gaze toward the fox's mangled remains at the base of the ledge, her stomach twisting faintly at the sight. she said nothing, though her eyes lingered on the uneaten carcass for a moment too long. fascinating.

she walked close to lorcan’s side as they began their descent, her shoulder brushing his every few steps, as if tethering herself to him to edge away her discomfort.