Crocodile Rock

Eli's dark tail swept back and forth slowly through the centuries of leaf-litter that was scattered amongst stones that had tumbled from walls long before he was a thought. His eyes were fixed on a bush further away, towards a pond of water that hasn't been there the day before. He was certain the Bush had moved, and he was waiting for it to move again, staring with intense concentration. He was two seasons old now, almost three seasons, and that meant he needed to start protecting the pack lands. For real This time, not just the test his wise father had chosen for them as pups. Though his ears heated at the thought of that, and how he had embarrassed himself and his father. Squashed flat in the first five seconds of battle, shouting conflicting orders to his siblings and confusing them. Disgraceful. This time he would do better, and he would study the enemy more closely to be certain he knew the best way to deal with it.

And no, the enemy was not a BUSH. It was BEHIND the bush. There, see? It had moved again, rattling the leaves violently despite the lack of wind.