Blacktail Deer Plateau i surrendered to their fragrance

astara's focus had been ahead, and so, she had not caught the shift of merrick's gaze to softness, or seen the way his eyes gently passed over her. it was not until he spoke -- words more halting than any obscenity -- that astara turned around, her expression caught in quiet surprise.

not since her sister or dam had astara heard those words, and even then only sparingly. she had no means to return that sacred utterance, and instead purposefully stepped to merrick, her indigo gaze possessive. she slunk to the ground besides him, pulled her muzzle down towards and across his bladed shoulders. her teeth bared yet gentle, drew across his sunlit fur in preening. with her chest pressed to her kill-brother's body, astara's language was clear: mine.