Bearclaw Valley I'm so full of love, I could barely eat

Smart. He knew that. He didn't need her acknowledgement, but coming from a woman who'd someday bear pups herself, it was more or less appreciated for the sentiment.
Dunno, he shrugged, spitting out a loose splinter that was lodged in the roof of his mouth. Over the years, 'guess. Needed t'be done. He didn't think she knew of all the loose, roaming coyotes at the border. She only knew when shit happened when he pulled up to her doorstep, bleeding and kindled for a moss bandage or chamomile supplement. Now for that he was grateful.
Too many scavengers 'round here. He told her, hoping that it'll awaken something in herself to be vigilant, too, instead of treating this as some vacation.
Probably from all the prey. They're havin' a damn free for all when we ain't there. Cole moved from Rala to a nearby tree, raising his leg to stream a scent marker.