Bearclaw Valley and fire coming out of the monkey's head

he did not like this.
merrick's tail twitched almost compulsively, as did the tight line of his scarred lips. he inched closer, nostrils flaring at the heated bearing and the way she now lay too softly against the earth.
mouth curled.
"should we get rid of them?" a rasp, but merrick was not attached to the lives cupped inside the corvid's new roundness. only her. and he would not lose her.