Outside the cave, the wind and snow seemed to have been driven back slightly by the warmth of the bonfire and hot pot. The howling grew distant and faint.
Inside, the flickering firelight cast warm, swaying shadows on the rock walls, and the overpowering yet alluring aroma of hot pot still lingered in the air.
The cubs had long since curled up into furry little balls on the beast-hide blankets, drifting off into a sweet slumber.
Near the cave entrance, Xin Feng was resting with his eyes closed, but his ears were pricked up alertly.
Yan Lie was leaning against the cave wall, intermittently whittling a stick with a Bone Knife. His gaze occasionally darted toward the depths of the cave with a hint of envy, but he quickly refocused on the task at hand.
Hua Han had reverted to his fox form and was feigning sleep with his eyes closed, though his ears would twitch now and then.
