Bonnechantic

"I'm hungry," he said. She glanced back at him from the corner of her eye.

"If I feed you, will you fight for me? There are little ones I'd like to see stronger."

He sneered. Paused. Thought about the nature of loyalty. The deep scar making him heavy-lidded. And then of family.

"I have remained loyal to a clan for less."

She nodded, satisfied, and walked to the hoard.

Days pass. Or was it weeks? His belly is full; his heart, less so.

"I thought this time might come," she said.

"I apologize. Loyalty is a poor substitute for love."

She nodded, blinked away a tear, and sent him back to his own kind.