Nova Peak ν

<3

she stood knee-deep in the stream, pale legs unmoving as the current pulled around them. the buckskin darkened with water, her paws working the blood from its fibers in slow, methodical motions. the cold didn’t bother her.
she was humming—something old, soft, shaped by wind and moon and mountain. not a song of joy. a song of remembering.
the scent hit her before the sound—earth, blood, rank. heavy footfalls. her ears swiveled. she did not turn yet.
only when the shadow broke through the brush did she lift her head, gaze meeting his with quiet, unwavering calm.
she dipped her head in respect, voice low and lilting.
then she straightened, pulling the hide from the stream, water streaming from its edge.
this for den. for...kaldros. she said his name softly, like he was made of snow.