Beast And Meat

Observing from where she stood with her ears forward, the brown female waited. Suddenly the breeze carried her way the scent of the wolf and of deer, which we has likely after. Before she could think or move his large grey pelt vanished again from her sight, and she stared at the spot now vacant of him. She took half a step and paused, unsure if he had seen her or if he even knew she was there. Then, she darted quietly along the edge of the field in his direction. She wasn’t really one to first approach someone, but the prospect of food, particularly deer which she hadn’t had in countless moons, urged her on.

Then the sound of bracken rustling ahead, followed by a soft thud, and a husky growl stopped her pursuit. She waited, listening as small clumsy feet stumbled away into thicker undergrowth. Varushka could smell the scent of deer stronger now, and the male was still close by.

Taking a few silent and careful steps toward the spot, she peered into the vegetation to catch another glimpse of him. She was surprised to see that was a lot bigger up close. His lush coat was a unique variation of greys, silvers, and whites. The fur that thinned along his shoulders and legs did little to hide his muscular frame underneath. Her eyes met his stoic golden pools, and his expression told her nothing. He simply continued on with his hunt, so she dared not speak and risk spoiling it.

The male must not have minded her presence as he resumed his stalking of the deer beyond them. Varushka kept her distance and crouched down to make her brown fur less visible to possible watching eyes. He moved silently on, disappearing again from her vision. She stopped her advance, as she could hear the deer nearby stripping leaves from bushes and uprooting grass stalks. She could no longer hear the stranger, when suddenly he sprang from his hiding place. Some birds called out in alarm as they fluttered away from the sudden outburst and the rest of the deer snorted and bleated as they leapt away in a panic.

The hoof beats on the ground and crashing of brambles faded away into the distance, and Varushka could hear a tussle in the grass beyond. She crawled closer, belly fur brushing the grass as she followed his path. She watched him from the concealment of the vegetation. He had his jaws locked onto a large buck’s throat. It choked out a gurgling grunt, pawing at the dirt with its front hoof as it tried to free itself by shaking its strong neck. It was still standing and fighting him, a truly impressive feat given the size of its attacker.

The buck turned its back to her direction in its attempts to throw the wolf off of it. Without a second thought, Varu leapt from the same spot he had. Landing squarely on the buck’s hindquarters. She scrabbled up its back as it bucked in surprise. Varu sunk her teeth into the back of its neck as she fought to stay on top of it. It let out a groan, flailing its antlers in pain and frustration.