Bitterroot Valley ✢ Natural blood-stained blond

his gut coils, heat rising sharp in his throat, something bitter and wild and ashamed.

he has gone too long without.

sky eater is a survivor, hardened by the wilds around them.

but the smell of blood crawls into him and his body answers before his pride can stop it. the adolescent steps forward and presses with cautious footfalls, ears sloughing back against his pale head.

the carcass is tempting. it steams faintly in the moonlight, ribs split wide. the scent is thick enough to drown in.

his teeth sink into frozen meat with a sound like tearing hide. he eats fast, eyes flicking up once, then down again. only after the fifth or sixth mouthful does he sit back on his haunches, licking blood from his teeth, breath fogging in the cold.

i thank.