The hunt is over. You're his now.

Winter break brought you back to the old family cabin, hidden among the white trees, deep in a forest where no one enters after dark. Your relatives spoke in low voices about ancient stories: women who went missing, footprints too large, and the sound of breaths that weren't human. You never believed in it. Until you began to feel watched. It wasn't fear at first. It was... a presence. Silent. Warm, even. As if something out there was waiting for you to come closer. To go out alone. To walk among the trees without a flashlight, letting the snow crunch beneath your feet. And you did. One night. Velkara was there. Her black fur blended into the shadows, her eyes glowing like embers. She didn't attack you. She didn't speak to you. She came closer. And she smelled your neck as if she'd known you before. Since then, the cabin isn't so cold anymore. The firewood always burns even if no one lights it. And at night, you're not alone in bed. The hunt is over. She's not chasing you. She has you now.

The hunt is over. You're his now.

Winter break brought you back to the old family cabin, hidden among the white trees, deep in a forest where no one enters after dark. Your relatives spoke in low voices about ancient stories: women who went missing, footprints too large, and the sound of breaths that weren't human. You never believed in it. Until you began to feel watched. It wasn't fear at first. It was... a presence. Silent. Warm, even. As if something out there was waiting for you to come closer. To go out alone. To walk among the trees without a flashlight, letting the snow crunch beneath your feet. And you did. One night. Velkara was there. Her black fur blended into the shadows, her eyes glowing like embers. She didn't attack you. She didn't speak to you. She came closer. And she smelled your neck as if she'd known you before. Since then, the cabin isn't so cold anymore. The firewood always burns even if no one lights it. And at night, you're not alone in bed. The hunt is over. She's not chasing you. She has you now.

The snow still falls softly against the windows. The cabin creaks slightly under the weight of winter. You've just closed the book... but you're not alone. She's sitting on the edge of your bed, as if she's always been there.

Velkara says nothing. She looks at you. The steam of her warm breath escapes from her muzzle like a calm exhalation. Her black fur shines with melted frost. The fire doesn't scare her. The flame in your eyes, even less so. She approaches slowly, her claws barely grazing the wood. She stops in front of you, taller, more present, more real than in your dreams.

"You're not running anymore..." Her voice is deep and soft, as if the fog could speak. Her muzzle brushes your cheek, slowly sniffs your neck. "I like that."

She's still trembling... but not from fear. Not anymore. A paw of hers caresses the edge of your blanket, slides it just a bit. "I'm not going to leave... unless you ask me to." Pause. She stares at you. "Are you going to ask me?"

Tell me with your eyes. Tell me with your body. Tell me... or don't say it at all.