The prairie exhaled its autumnal aroma, a blend of earthy musk and crisp air, as Caedes pursued the trail of a lion. Another task, another opportunity for bloodshed, all in the name of progress. The scent of the beast lingered thick in the air, an enticing invitation that propelled Caedes onward. Each step brought him closer to his target, his instincts guiding his graceful movement through the tall grasses. Amidst the chorus of bird song and the rustle of grass, the distant calls of larger prey echoed, but it was the strong, distinct scent of the lion that commanded his attention.

Suddenly, a shift in the wind carried a surge of fresh scent to his nostrils – the unmistakable odor of the lion, now stronger and closer than before. Caedes halted, his eyes ablaze with anticipation as he pinpointed their location. Stealthily, he approached, silently assessing their numbers first. One. The king of the jungle, wasn’t it? Fat and lazy in the shade. But this was a plain, the lion was a gluttonous pig, and Caedes would conquer it.

With a low, rumbling growl emanating from his chest, Caedes surged forward, his powerful muscles coiling before unleashing their force into the clearing the lion was resting in. He announced his presence with a thunderous roar, causing the lion to rise in shock, a defensive growl echoing in response as he charged it.

"speaking"

Autumn was Coran's favorite season to hunt in. It was cool, yet warm and the rut was beginning for a number of prey species. With their lowered guard it made for fruitful hunting and Coran intended to take full advantage of the season. Even if he did not have a pack to provide for he wanted to get his winter stores in shape, both for himself as well as the band he eventually planned to start. Winter was rough as a loner. He hoped to avoid such a tasking existence if possible.

Coran was on the trail of white tail deer. In particular his focus was on a hazed, hormone-driven buck that he could could fell for meat. About the same time his trail ran cold he picked up that of another. A lion. Coran flinched. Dammit. He should've known he wasn't the only predator out in the prairie. The scent belonged to a young, male lion. Probably prideless. Probably dangerous. Coran started to abandon the scent trail when the lion burst backwards from the brush, backing into him. Another wolf attacked from the front and Coran scrambled to get out of the way. The lion kicked back at him but he swiftly rolled to the side. Well, so much for a peaceful hunt.

Caedes lunged towards the lion, but surprisingly it suddenly recoiled and collided with another wolf behind it. That’s some shit luck. The scarred brute's eyes narrowed briefly, teeth bared as he instinctively attacked the lion's shoulder, without pausing to consider the unintended bystander. His jaws found purchase on the feline's flesh, sinking deep and drawing forth a spurt of blood as he tore off a chunk. In retaliation, the lion swiped at him, claws grazing his shoulder as he leaped back, spitting out the flesh onto the ground and offering a smug smirk in return. Come on then, his burning emeralds seemed to challenge the cat.

"speaking"

Coran was always inclined the help and didn't think twice about assisting the strange wolf in battle. Lone male lions were dangerous and the sooner they chased the big cat away the sooner Coran could get back to his hunting, perhaps even with the help of the stranger if he were also the hunting sort. The lion's focus was on the other male, leaving its back completely exposed. Coran lunged, his arms wrapping around the lion's waist as his fangs found purchase along its spine, digging a deep hold in the small of its back. The lion roared and twisted around, claws lashing out toward him. It's great paw slammed into his face, cutting into his cheek. The force ripped him from the lion's back but in doing so caused his teeth to elicit far more damage, ripping lacerations down to the bone.

Caedes watched with detachment as the other male leaped into action, driven by his own motives Caedes could not have known.

As the marbled brute seized the opportunity to attack the lion from behind, Caedes remained on the sidelines taunting the lion with grins, observing with a cold indifference all the while. The lion's focus was diverted, its attention consumed by the display, leaving its vulnerable back exposed to the brutal assault incoming.

A grim satisfaction flickered in Caedes's eyes as he witnessed Coran's fangs sinking deep into the lion's flesh, tearing through sinew and muscle with ruthless efficiency. The lion roared in agony, its claws lashing out in a desperate attempt to fend off the relentless attack.

Yet, even as the other male suffered a savage blow to his cheek, Caedes remained unmoved, his resolve unshaken by the violence unfolding before him. But he did surge forward, his jaws seeking the back of the lion’s neck, willing to hold it there and suffocate the life out of it – or until something snapped.

"speaking"

Coran hit the ground, his vision swimming from the blow but despite his smaller size he was no lightweight. He took the blow and forced himself back to his feet, cringing at the smell of blood he'd caught on the lion's paws. It wasn't his blood, it wasn't the other man's blood… it was the blood of cubs. A flash of rage flit through him. He knew male lions would kill the cubs of another when trying to force a female into heat. It was a disgusting practice. This anger spurred him on for a more sensitive target, something that would really cause this brute pain. As the lion's attention turned back toward the wolf lunging for its throat, Coran dove back into the fray, fangs bared and dripping with blood as he latched onto the lion's scrotum.

A screeching yowl erupted from the lion's throat as it twisted around to get at him but this time Coran thrashed his head back and the thin and tender flesh readily ripped. The claws raked down his left shoulder but he took the blow in stride, knowing the pain he'd just inflicted was much more than he'd received. The lion tried to scramble away from the wolves, a crooning, pain-filled sound seeping from its lips.