Larksong Grotto bag of bones

seff roused and gave a thin squeal; vuk moved him to her teat. she blinked rapidly at the growing tears of fear for his life, and through them she watched a lanky, dark wolf approach her little family. he said nothing, but his gaze was not unkind as he studied first terich, then herself. 

vuk knew she seemed haggard, unkempt -- the jut of her hips was clear, as were her ribs. she glanced up to her mate and then back at the man with desperation now closing upon her features. was he going to turn them away? her lips worked but no sound came; what little voice the girl had was locked away, stifled by the stress and loss of the last several weeks.

the dam broke and her tears fell at last, and as her bony shoulders shook brokenly, vuk lifted her foreleg to reveal seff's nursing form. her eyes turned back to the man and she watched him pleadingly, having said all that she was able without the help of words.