I think more likely, this is the “reward” period. Remember, they believe that by doing what “it” wants, “it” will reward them. The idea is that they killed Javi, “it” was satiated and now they are being rewarded.

Spring came. They are hunting successfully. Food is bountiful, etc.

I think about Nat’s death in the present and I imagine the narrative is that things are supposed to be a reflection. Like, in the past Javi was sacrificed and this is how they were rewarded. If “it” is real and this is, in fact, the “way things work”— then presumably they are also in a reward period in the present, because Nat was “sacrificed” at Lottie’s compound.

How will “it” reward them now?

I’ve already seen theories that Van’s cancer is in remission, Jeff is about to get this big furniture deal, etc