Fox's Glade lush life

no, she spoke, and in the word, and the string of foreign syllables she babbled after, shardul saw the desperation of her spirit. alone, there was not a feasible way to fulfill her tearful request -- the cougar's mouth twitched in an expression that was unwavering in its coldness, yet his eyes accepted a different sort of light. "what worth could thou possibly offer if thy life was spared?" the panther rasped, planting his forepaws on either side of her hips as he lowered to his belly.

he himself could see none -- if she survived into adulthood, the pup would be a burden always upon her protector, unable to hunt or perhaps even breed, to pass on her genes of strength. and with autumn fast fading to give way beneath winter's breath, the child would freeze in the early frosts and blowing snow, devoid of the warmth exuded by another living body.

"it would be wiser to die, little jackal," shardul muttered. "i would do it quickly; thou wilt not suffer." and that was as close to mercy as the panther might offer. he licked the edges of his mouth as he awaited her response, glancing over one muscular shoulder to see that no prowling wolf approached.