5/4/2025, 7:22 PM
hell,he muttered, jaw twitching faintly with something between amusement and exasperation as she flopped around like wet laundry on a line.
you play bait just fine. all that belly-flashin’, whinin’, bird-watchin’.he gave a grunt and started forward, his broad shoulders shifting beneath the sun.
but he didn’t snap at her. didn’t scold. he just kept pace slow, long enough for her to catch up, even if she grumbled the whole way.
cole’s eyes scanned the ridge ahead, the scent of game tugging at the corners of his mind like a memory. he was quiet for a stretch, until the trees opened to reveal signs of passage: trampled grass, a torn tuft of fur. they were close.
he gave a short chuff.
keep that yap down,he said without heat, eyes cutting to her just once.
unless y’wanna scare off supper.
but then, a breath later, that he wasn't sure he'd exert:
glad y’came. wasn’t sure you’d move.