Veer exhaled heavily, his chest tight with unease, before slipping the wooden ring from his finger to his pocket .
With a sudden beat of his wings, he soared into the sky, leaving the leather bag abandoned on the ground. He didn't dare take it with him.
The scent clinging to it was dangerous—if another beastman from his tribe caught a whiff, their instincts would spiral out of control. Right now, he couldn't risk it. Kaya's safety was all that filled his mind. He would return for the bag later.
As his silhouette vanished against the clouds, the clearing grew quiet… until the bushes nearby rustled. Two soft, brown ears perked above the foliage, twitching.
A glow of white light shimmered faintly before taking shape—it was Cutie. His blue eyes gleamed like crystals, sharp and curious, following the path Veer had taken into the distance. Slowly, his gaze dropped to the bag left behind.
