Something New

He'd been stalking the deer through the willow forest for the past ten minutes, moving slow and through the shadows so as not to alert it to his presence. With his pelt of alabaster white, even in the cover of the growing night he would be noticeable. The wolf needed to be clever and cautious if he was to earn his meal tonight. So he had stalked the doe from a distance, following her long enough and just far enough away that she hadn't caught wind of his presence. Sharp azure eyes remained locked with deadly focus on the cervine as she moved leisurely through the fronds of the willow trees, following a gentle stream to who knows where. Probably looking for somewhere safe to bed down for the night. Unfortunately for the prey animal, it would not live to see the morning sun.

Kavik loved the thrill of the hunt. It wasn't quite as thrilling as a real fight or the heat of battle, but it was a close second. Massive silver-flecked paws moved almost soundlessly across the grass, keeping the doe in his line of sight at all times while creeping about through the trees, using foliage and willow branches to obscure him from sight. The doe continued on its way, passing through the trees without a care in the world. Sunlight had all but faded, and twilight was giving way to true night as indigoes and violets in the darkening sky shifted into deep navy blues that would eventually become blackness. A full moon hung fat and heavy in the dimming sky, adding a silvery ethereal light to the world that would no doubt soon begin to reflect off his pallid coat. He needed to move fast; his window of opportunity was closing, and Kavik would not go hungry tonight.

As the doe was passing by a cluster of willow trees, the hunter decided to make his move. Kavik kicked off the loamy ground, propelling himself like a white rocket at the unsuspecting cervine with lethal focus. Large paws snapped a few stray sticks on the ground, catching the doe's attention, but by the time it turned around, it was already too late. The wolf was upon her, and with a pounce, Kavik used his superior weight and musculature to knock the deer off its spindly legs. Predator and prey tumbled over one another for a brief chaotic moment before coming to rest right before the fronds of a large willow tree. Kavik moved swiftly, righting himself to get his footing and leaping atop the flailing doe, careful to avoid any kicks from its pointed hooves while he pinned his prey to the ground with his weight and sealed powerful jaws around her throat with a vicious snarl.

The doe gave a panicked bleat, calling out for help for only a second before a squeeze from Kavik's jaws shut its windpipe, strangling the herbivore to death slowly. Sure, Kavik could have been more efficient and just ended the deer's life then and there, but he'd won his game and he deserved to bask in the reward for a few moments. If that meant the deer had to suffer a slower death... oh well, too bad. Low, deadly growls continued to rumble in Kavik's throat while he held the deer's neck in his jaws, giving it no slack while it struggled and flailed in vain, its movements slowing gradually. A breeze rippled through the grove then, rustling the willow fronds in front of him enough for his keen eyes to catch a glimpse of violet on the other side in the fading light. Kavik glanced up, not releasing the doe all the while, and spotted the face of the wolf hidden away behind the willow curtain watching him as he claimed his kill. He couldn't make out any details of the wolf through the gangly branches and low light. So Kavik simply stared back, holding the other wolf's gaze while he squeezed the last of the life out of the deer, waiting until it had made its final spasms in its death throes before it fell still.

Once the deer was dead, the snowy white brute dropped it to the ground and rose back to his full height, his piercing blue eyes still staring through the willow branches at the wolf within. He leaned down to grab the deer carcass by the neck, dragging it across the grass and through the curtain of willow fronds to join the other wolf in their natural hideaway. Once inside, he could get a better look at her. She was distinctly female, with a lithe, slender physique and enough length for him to suss out that she was probably pretty close to his size. Her face was decorated with intricate white markings that stood out against her royal purple swirling fur, all shades of violet blending together in her coat. "Good evening, my lady," he greeted her in his smooth, mellifluous baritone voice, an easy grin on his lips while he set the deer down between them. "I apologize if I startled you. I was busy catching a meal and didn't realize anyone was here." Kavik gestured with a paw down to the deer corpse, casting a curious look to the sumptuous and rare fae he'd stumbled upon. "Can I buy you dinner to make up for intruding so abruptly on you?"

"Kävik av Fjellen"