hollow soul

prologue

quiet whispers fluttered around the den as the two pups were born.
“she's so pretty.”
“look at him! what a nice fighter he'll grow up to be.”
“i'm so proud of them.”
the blue, small pup twitched a bit, her small tuft of hair waving in the slight draft that passed through the den.
“what are their names?”
shore looked up towards her mate, waiting on a response. he stayed quiet, and she saw the smallest hint of resentment flicker in his crimson eyes. citrus thought for a moment. “maleficent.”
“what?”
“let's name the blue one maleficent.”
pride sparkled in shores' eyes. “it's perfect.” she whispered. “i'm naming the orange one after you. he'll be..mandarin.” she repeated the names a couple times. “maleficent and mandarin, mal and mand...what i would give to keep you.”