Pet Acquired
A/N: I rewrote the last chapter as it was rushed and did not go into much detail even though I wanted to, so please read the last chapter before coming to this one.
Thank you,
Author.
...
The mother inspected the egg, cradling it in her arms. "This is your child, isn't it?" she asked gently. "Don't worry, we'll keep it safe."
The panther let out another growl, its eyes dimming as its strength waned. It had expended its last burst of energy in the desperate attempt to protect its offspring, and now it was near death.
Seeing the panther in such a state, the mother couldn't help but feel sad and angry. She did not know the whole story but could see how much it had suffered, struggling to survive in this harsh place.
Her expression softened, and she stroked its bloodied fur soothingly. "You've endured so much. You've suffered and struggled for a long time, right?"