Placing both newborns beside their mother, Luke stepped back and allowed the fox to see her children for the first time.
She was still weak. Every breath seemed to drain what little strength remained in her body. Yet the moment her eyes settled on the two tiny bundles, something changed.
The exhaustion did not disappear, but it no longer seemed important.
A tenderness so deep it was almost painful softened her gaze. For a brief moment, the fear, suffering, and desperation that had surrounded her vanished entirely. There was only a mother looking at her children.
Luke watched quietly before asking, "Do you need another potion?"
The fox slowly lifted her head.
"No... I'll be fine."
Her eyes lingered on the newborns for a few more seconds before she finally looked away.
"Go ahead," she whispered. "You can take my life now."
Luke blinked.
"Huh?"
The fox closed her eyes.
