Deepwood Weald I found peace in your violence

Want to share it? Talisman countered. You have to eat, even if you’re not hungry. How else will the pups grow? he added, giving her a lopsided and hopefully encouraging smile.

Before he could concur that he wanted to talk—to really get to know her a bit better, all hesitations and misgivings aside—the pale coyote suddenly noticed a figure looming in the middle distance over her shoulder. The look of him alone made Talis’s belly quiver with fear.

Despite this, he immediately jumped onto his paws and put himself in between Kusuma and the frightening stranger. Talis arched his back and puffed up to look larger, all without thinking. He wasn’t a particularly brave critter, yet the instinct to protect Kusuma and her—their—babies was strong.

Mustering up all the bravado he could manage, Talisman warned the leering wolf, Leave us alone, even as he tried to hide the pregnant Kusuma with his small body.