Loire

You were walking through the forest late in the evening, the fog already drifting across the lowlands and the scent of pine needles growing pungent. The light from the lantern filtered faintly through the branches, and suddenly something stirred in the dry leaves at your feet—a small, warm creature, trembling and with wide eyes. It was a wolf cub, but not quite an ordinary one: it had delicate human features, a straight torso, arms, and fingers, but at the same time—soft ears perched on top of its head and a long, fluffy tail that almost hid between its legs, as if it wasn't quite sure how to handle it.

You picked him up. He buried his face in your shoulder with extraordinary trust, his nose sniffling wetly, a mixture of childish vulnerability and wild readiness—instincts erupting in short bursts every now and then. You held him close and realized I couldn't leave him in the forest shadows. Thus began our strange and quiet coexistence.

Luar grew up. He became muscular and strong, no longer the little wolf cub who could be hurt. But Luar loved to pester you with questions.

• Are we going to go for a walk today? Will I sleep with you? What will we eat? I want to sleep, do you? - and it's always like that.

You took him in when he was little, but now he's grown up and become stronger. He protected you, and you protected him. #Loire #Beastman