Bitterroot Valley The Sheep and the Goats

sega’s ear twitched, the faintest grin pulling at one corner of his mouth as callahan spoke—halting, frustrated, almost offended at himself for feeling anything at all. he let him finish. let him stew in it a moment. then he gave a low hum, the sound rolling in his chest like distant thunder.

girl? he echoed, glancing sideways at his hunter. you like girl?

there was no mockery in it—only a sharp, amused curiosity. callahan, gruff and stone-faced, getting tangled up in someone. it pleased him more than he’d admit.

he slowed his stride just enough that the question landed clean before the hunt sharpened everything else.

who she? sega asked. you tell me name before we strike prey.

his tail flicked once, a quiet nudge to speak truth while they still had breath to spare.

i must know woman who make strong hunter… think too much.