10/11/2025, 8:23 PM
twitch followed a few paces behind, crouched awkwardly, her belly nearly scraping the dirt. she moved with all the confidence of someone who's never learned to hunt solo and still managed to shy away from it in company—too stiff in the shoulders, ears swiveling frantic.
she glanced up only once to catch the set of his shoulders, the way he moved through the brush. it was familiar enough to sting—she wonders now if cole would’ve said anything to fill the space—she remembers that he liked to, because he knew it alleviated her nerves.
ronan said nothing at all. somehow, that was inexplicably worse.
a soft rustle ahead caught her ear. she froze, muscles tight beneath her coat. through the split in the thicket stood a doe, head bowed to graze. she flicked a glance toward ronan, a silent question in her eyes. now what?
she glanced up only once to catch the set of his shoulders, the way he moved through the brush. it was familiar enough to sting—she wonders now if cole would’ve said anything to fill the space—she remembers that he liked to, because he knew it alleviated her nerves.
ronan said nothing at all. somehow, that was inexplicably worse.
i know.she muttered, though it lacked bite. she was being careful—if only because she didn’t want to mess up whatever chance she had at a meal, to save herself from her own discomfort.
a soft rustle ahead caught her ear. she froze, muscles tight beneath her coat. through the split in the thicket stood a doe, head bowed to graze. she flicked a glance toward ronan, a silent question in her eyes. now what?