Moonspear ^____________________^

They took the bait. Treepie grinned and loped up the incline, the boys following her lead by design. She made sure to check her pace, allowing them to nearly catch up to her every so often before darting ahead again. She enjoyed the game and hopefully they did too.

As they neared her own ulaq, Tiuttuk finally slowed down enough to let them capture her. She even sat, making herself an easier target if they wanted to pounce. She welcomed it, as it gave her an excuse to touch them with her muzzle or paws, strengthening their bonds.

She looked up at Pala’s question to say, Oh, they left long ago—before I was born—to make their own pack. You can stay there as long as you like, or you can eventually make one of your own. It’s up to you.

She wasn’t actually sure if that timeline was accurate, though it didn’t matter much. The Sveijarn-Cortens had no claim over the homestead which Tiuttuk had carefully tidied the other day. She had even dragged some of her own skins there to make it more cozy.

It’s just over here, she said, bouncing back onto her feet and striding along the path that led to the ulaq. Surprise! she called out when she reached it, sweeping a foreleg toward the entry to welcome the family to investigate their new home.