Nova Peak ❇ Tosi

---

he moved with reverence as she always had, head bowed slightly in the way of her people, carrying no weapons but her scent of herbs and snow.
her ears twitched at the soft voice. kind. tired. grateful.
the pale woman’s chest swelled with warmth.
elowen, she repeated gently, her accent feathering the syllables with that musical lilt of her tongue. she dipped her head again, tail giving a small wag, brushing like breeze against her hocks.
i am silatuyok, she said softly. of nishkaw’tep. moon sky. then, a small pause, her eyes dropping shyly as she motioned to the fox pelt and the dried meat.
for warmth. for strength. a beat. you... gave new life. her voice hushed, reverent. wiyúupɨh—sacred thing.
then, slowly, cautiously, she looked toward the den’s hollow, where the pup stirred in shadows.
may i see him? she asked in barely a breath. not to take. not to touch. just to witness. to honor. her gaze glowed, and she smiled again, more fully now, bashful in her joy.