Bitterroot Valley drag me under

his ears tipped back against the rain, a quiet sound leaving him. of frustration. droplets clung to the line of his jaw, catching on the rough cut of old scars.

[ibndent]notice, he echoed, slow. hn. not blind, twitch.

he stepped nearer, the ground sucking faintly beneath his paws, scent of wet earth rising between them. his eyes swept her thin frame— ribs beneath fur, mud at her ankles, the tremor she tried to hide.

you not built for alone, sega said at last, voice low and even, the broken common softened by the space between words. storm take young quick. world colder now.

his gaze moved past her to the lake’s skin, black and rippling, and for a moment it seemed his reflection spoke more than he did.

someone, he repeated after a while, quieter, unsure if he believed her. they give you food? safe place?