Close together and far apart

Her eyes softened further, knowing his attempt to shuffle her away was from trying to keep her and their progeny safe. She could see the longing in his eyes, the way he dug his sharp sheathed paws into the soil. The gaping distance was wide between them .

"You know I won't do that. I will never abandon the pack, never abandon you. I'm needed here. Never mind the risk of infecting their crops with this. I hope to take a look at the samples but Ollie won't let me, especially now." She wanted to smother him in kisses.

She looked up instead, dismay she couldn't run into his arms with joy. Her brow creased in confused alarm as her golden eyes looked at the early spring leaves of the woods. She looked back at her lover, the father of the young now growing within her, concern awash over her features.

"Bas, look." She pointed with her nose up to the canopy. The leaves were more yellow, spotted, and drooping. The Blight was spreading.