A fragile dream in the making

Oath watched as the serpent finally slithered away, its bruised body disappearing into the murky depths of the Delta. He let out a slow breath, his muscles still tense from the fight, though a sense of relief washed over him now that the immediate danger had passed. His gaze shifted back to the small wolf beside him, a sly grin on her face despite her trembling form.

Her bravery hadn’t gone unnoticed, and the way she bit down into the serpent’s scales, despite her obvious fear, stirred something in him. Oath’s cyan eyes softened as she spoke, her voice still a bit shaky, but there was a playful edge in her tone. She was tiny, yes, but clearly much more than she appeared.

"You handled yourself well," Oath said with a nod, his voice warm yet steady. "Most would have run at the sight of something like that, but you didn’t hesitate."

He stepped closer, his large frame towering over her, though he moved with a gentleness that matched the playful swish of her tail. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, the compliment she offered catching him off guard. “Saving you wasn’t exactly on the agenda, but I couldn’t just let you get wrapped up in all that.”

His gaze flickered over her matted coat, now stained with mud and water, and there was a protective gleam in his eyes. “You’re brave too, you know," he added softly. "But next time, maybe we avoid the giant snakes- not run towards them?” His smirk widened slightly, a playful edge to his words.