“Nature isn’t waiting. Neither are the insurance companies.” That night, Ethan walked home with Bella trotting at his side. She looked up at him, tail wagging faintly, unaware of the storm gathering. He crouched and rubbed her ears, whispering, “I’ll fight for you. I promise.” But even as he said it, he felt the weight of inevitability pressing down.
The cubs were growing, their instincts sharpening with each sunrise. Bella’s love had carried them further than anyone dared believe, but Ethan knew love alone might not be enough to hold back the wild forever.