Ember the Voraxen's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Ember climbed the twisted trunk of the ancient tree before dawn. Four seasons of solo hunts had carved her lean and sharp, but lean was not enough. She wanted more than survival. She wanted to live full and wide. The dark blue leaves rustled above her as she settled into a wide hollow and waited, eyes steady, claws quiet on the bark. A male Voraxen stepped onto the branch across from her. He was scarred, thin, watchful. Neither lunged. Ember read his posture the way she read wind through the canopy — he was starving too, and alone. She lowered her head a fraction. He matched her. In that small shared motion, the rule of her solitary life broke. She had a pack-mate now, and maybe more. The territory was no longer hers alone.