Choose your prey better

Fern’s eyes roamed over the picturesque valley. Even with a blanket of snow covering it, the gray girl is still awestruck by the beauty. Deer roam the white grassland, kicking up snow to get the grass underneath. A rumble of hunger loudly protests its need to her. Fine. Hunting would be a good way to take her mind off her trek anyway. Spying some rocks protruding from the snow, Fern quickly takes up residence alongside one. The grays of her coat acting as a natural camouflage against the rock.

Making sure to stay downwind of the prey, Fern tracks a small deer away from the rest of the pack. Paws carry her swiftly and silently toward her target, trying to blend in with snow and rocks. A new scent hits her nostrils and she realizes there is another wolf here. Hunkering down into the snow on top of a small hill of stone, Fern waits and watches. Head is laid on the rocks as her aqua gaze finds the tiger resting behind a rock some distance away. Luck seems to be with her as it does not appear to notice her.

Fern quietly thanks the wind for being in her favor and watches as a wolf and deer comes into view. The wolf seems to care for deer, his stance and countenance that of its protector instead of killer. Interesting. Of course, Fern knew some wolves have companions, her mother had had an owl named Rigel. It is curious that this wolf would chose a deer. That is a story for another and she decides to let the wolf know it might be a good idea to keep his friend away from places like this if he wants it to stay alive.

Eyes return to the tiger and movement catches her eye.  It shifts, smelling the deer on the wind. Powerful body stalks around the rock it had been hiding behind and launches toward the deer. Without another thought, Fern pushes off from her hiding spot in the snow and runs at the tiger. Silent paws cover the distance and she watches the wolf and tiger swipe at each other and miss.

For some strange reason she feels the need to protect this deer, perhaps it is because her mother loved deer or maybe it is because she sees how innocent they were. For whatever reason, Fern needs to get the tiger’s attention off the deer and wolf. When she within range, Fern launches herself at the tiger, aiming for its neck that is exposed as it turns toward the other wolf. Teeth meet flesh and hot blood pools in her mouth. The cat lets out a furious roar and rears back onto its hind legs. In the moment of confusion, Fern releases her hold and falls to ground.

Landing and rolling, Fern comes up in a defensive stance, teeth bared, ears pinned, tail tucked, eyes narrowed, and scruff scrunched. Realizing she is standing close to the deer and wolf, Fern casting a quick glance toward the wolf.  With a dip her head, she acknowledges their presence and the need to protect the deer. The tiger is recovering and Fern’s attention returns to the wounded and mad cat. She will follow the other’s wolf lead as they start to dance with death and this cat.