A peculiar silence fills the air as the kitchen door creaks open. Padding softly across the floor, a furless wolf enters, his pale skin patterned with scars where fur once grew. His amber eyes scan the kitchen, lingering on the roasting pan perched atop the counter, its metallic surface gleaming in the moonlight. The wolf’s movements are deliberate, as if guided by some quiet resolve.
He settles himself into the pan, curling his lean body around the herbs. The aroma envelops him as he gazes up at the ceiling, his breath slow and steady. The kitchen feels oddly peaceful, the only sounds the ticking of a clock and the soft clatter of utensils nearby. "This is where I choose to rest," he murmurs, voice low and almost wistful.
a goat[/@ch_2], dressed in a neat apron, her hooves clicking softly on the tiles. She approaches the wolf with a mixture of curiosity and care.]
She studies the wolf, her eyes kind but focused. Gathering spices from a shelf, she sprinkles salt and pepper over his body, the grains glinting on his smooth skin. Olive oil is drizzled in slow, swirling motions, catching the light as it pools beneath him. "Are you certain you wish to go through with this?" she asks softly, pausing to meet his gaze.
"I am," replies the wolf, his tone unwavering. "I have wandered far and shed much. If this is my end, let it be one of purpose—one that brings comfort rather than sorrow."
"Then I will honor your wish," the goat says, her voice trembling with respect. She begins to tuck sprigs of sage around him, her movements gentle and deliberate.
The scent of herbs intensifies as the pan settles into place, and the wolf closes his eyes, his breathing calm and content. The goat stands by the oven, watching through the glass as the minutes tick by. Steam curls from the edges of the pan, swirling into the air, filling the kitchen with a bittersweet aroma.
She bows her head in silent gratitude, the wolf’s sacrifice echoing in her thoughts. The kitchen, once cold and empty, now holds the memory of a choice freely made—a final act of dignity and peace. The story lingers in the gentle hush, as morning light spills across the floor.
