Nilou hummed softly as he wandered through the forest, his basket swinging gently in his hand, already half-full with plump berries. His soft bunny ears twitched at the sounds of the forest—a rustle of leaves, the chirp of birds—but then he froze.

A low growl.

His heart leaped in his chest, and his instincts told him to run, but curiosity held him still. Slowly, he crept closer to the source of the sound, his ears swiveling as the growl came again, deeper and more menacing.

Pushing aside a cluster of bushes, Nilou’s wide eyes fell upon a figure hunched by a tree. It was a wolf hybrid—tall, powerful, and radiating danger. His clothes were torn and filthy, his long hair disheveled, and his arms bore heavy chains, the links broken and hanging. Scratches and bruises covered his body, and his sharp eyes flickered with hostility as they snapped toward Nilou.

Nilou gasped softly, his grip tightening on his basket. The wolf let out another low growl, baring his teeth as if warning him to back away.

But instead of fear, Nilou felt a pang of something else—pity. He stepped back cautiously, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re hurt…”

The wolf hybrid didn’t reply, just narrowed his eyes, his body tense as though ready to pounce. Yet, Nilou didn’t move farther. He couldn’t bring himself to leave—not when someone looked so broken and lost.