Learning curve

The young wolf was caught in a rare moment of concentration, small frame held poised over the water’s edge. Bellamy’s large ears were pricked forward in absolute focus, bright hazel-green eyes scanning the running water for telltale flashes of silver. Tension showed plainly in the female’s body language, jaw clenched firmly and tail slowly flicking back and forth as an outlet for her irritation. Fishing was one skill that she’d rarely harboured the patience to learn within her formative months, and she was paying the price for her inattention now. Still, she was determined to succeed. How hard could it be, right?

Flash! Bellamy’s muzzle darted into the crystalline water, a wince rushing over the female as cold water invaded her face. She felt her teeth close in on her target, rubbery and slick, and she clamped down on it as it flailed chaotically. Carefully, carefully, she lifted her head, heart thudding with excitement, until the little creature managed to escape from her grip with a violent twitch, falling back into the river with an unceremonious plop. Bellamy let an exasperated groan escape her lips, water dripping from her narrow muzzle. She reset her position tensely, leaning on her front paws over the riverbank so the tip of her nose almost grazed the water’s surface. Her green eyes glared at the water with a cold vengeance. There was no way she’d let a stupid fish beat her.