Snowforest Taiga maugak ⋟

his response pulled from instinct, not thought. it fed her just as sharply as her praise fed him. she did not withdraw her paw, instead she pushing firmer as if to test that wall of heat and sinew that he was. he does not falter.

her ears tipped forward to catching the rise of his pride, a smooth rumble that vibrated through her bones. she responds in kind, a soft puff of breath that mists as it leaves her nose. her gaze held his, hungry in a way that wasn’t soft and never would be.

“strong,” she said again. it is no longer realization but a cold, hard fact. her chin lifts then, paw setting down as she looks to the coast, then back to him in unspoken question—“come. hunt with me.”