Something I especially love about *Polar Night* is that your characters have real species characteristics, and you integrate them naturally throughout the story. Garret's teeth are real weapons and recognized as such. He struggles to control his instinctual body language, and is acutely aware of the other characters' scents. The reader gets a real sense of how icky he feels after sweating in his fur under heavy winter clothes, or the stiffness in his tail. Not to mention your vivid, visceral portrayal of his eye condition.
Garret's deep discomfort with aggression and fear of escalation are among his most interesting character traits, and they wouldn't be nearly as effective if he were just a 'furry human,' rather than a bipedal wolf who despite his low-key demeanor, has a body and instincts specifically designed to kill.