Avalon is a peaceful pack, filled with lots of prey animals so, to the young Merlin, that means they should be extra careful of any predators that might linger near their borders. Tracing familiar pathways around his home, the yearling reinforces scent markers and checks for any threats that might be hiding near-by as the sun moves toward the horizon. The musk of a large grizzly bear practically inside of their borders smacks him across his nose and he is off and running. The young scream that follows on the heels of the scent only propels across the land faster and he doesn’t hesitate to tip his head back as he runs to boom a request for help.
Bursting onto the scene, he sees a terrified pup cowering before a huge grizzly as it lumbers toward the unknown pup. With a snarl, Merlin leaps forward, placing his frame between the bear and the stranger, snapping at the beast’s face in a warning to back off. Tail snaps up over his spine, fur standing on end as he plants his paws, facing down the hulking terror without a second thought. It roars at him, the predator clearly upset that the boy has come between it and an easy meal. Lunging forward, Merlin attempts to press the grizzly back in an effort to create space between it and the pup but he is forced to dance backward to avoid a clawed paw that is aimed at his head.
Silently, Merlin hopes someone more experienced will show up to help.
