I looved their dynamic in this chapter. It is cute to see them bickering over food because they are hungry, then calming down & making up after they eat. I thought a weasel would be easier to eat? Maybe Sophia's mouth still isn't as efficient either. When reading the new ellipses strategy for showing how Shadow is talking, I imagine that what he is saying is entirely represented by the words we do see, and if we knew the rest it would only be additional detail, not adding significant new concepts. If that aligns with your goals, then I think you are succeeding!~

This feeling of vulnerability she had while waiting is something she'll be experiencing very frequently now, it seems. The realities of winter survival are also sinking in now. Not every meal can be a fat juicy deer. I kind of look forward to seeing this sort of primal struggle more, and how they'll pull through together.