She only had one kitten. Just one. But the way she guards him, you would think she was protecting a whole army of little lives. From the moment he arrived, she became his shadow, his warmth, his shield. She tucks him under her chest, curls him close between her legs, never letting go. To her, the world outside is too loud, too harsh, too cold for something so tiny.
She stares at him while he sleeps as if it is the most sacred sight in the universe. She eats in a rush, comes back even faster, because every second away feels too long. She is not simply a mother. She is a fortress. She is a vow. She is a living shield wrapped around one fragile heartbeat.
And he, though born without siblings, is never truly alone. Because from his very first breath, he has only ever known one thing. A mother whose love is big enough to fill the space of ten. A mother who tells him with every glance, every touch, every moment… As long as I live, nothing will harm you.