Gilded Bay I'm making my claim

her time would come. that was why she had been chased out of the kyneswood; why she roamed here, now, whether zharille knew it or not. it was the natural way of things. that her mother wished for loyalty rather than rivalry, was of no surprise.

the trees were still, so when the sharp-bodied man stood tall and watchful of her, zharille took notice. it wasn't the same intrigue that drew her to watching, now. he was much closer to food than a partner. too small to be of interest to zharille's future.

she would of course press the advantage of her size - drawing closer and closer, whether he was comfortable or not. the only thing to stop her was the sound of his growl, which earned a humorless chuff from zharille.

her gaze shifted to the darkness he'd been occupying, and saw where he had been digging. what did a man need a birthing den for? for a moment she was distracted and pulled away from him, heading towards it, shoving her face in to take deep breaths and investigate.