Bitterroot Valley ∟∟ móki

hn, he rumbled, approval settling low in his chest. you speak good. and offer strong.

his gaze traced the new den, then returned to the man who stood before it— a wanderer with hunger in his ribs and purpose trying to root itself in his bones.

you hunt with me, sega said, voice sure. one time. see how you move. how you fight.

he was not dooming him to failure. he wanted to see what kind of fangs lay beneath that lip.

if your feet true… then i call you member of great sky.

something like a smirk ghosted along his cheek.

maybe you find wife, even.

his tail swept the ground, low and amused. but first— hunt at dawn.

and with that, sega nodded toward the dens, granting silence as a final kindness. rest now. tomorrow, you show me your strength.