Midnight Snack

In the moonlit night, Taiga, the giant cave lioness, prowled through the dense underbrush of the knoll. Her keen, raspberry colored eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of prey. On the wind the giantess scented ungulates. Antelope, specifically. The feline moved quietly, each step achingly slow, until she had the herd in her sights. The antelope grazed nearby, utilizing the unnatural shine of the moon, and seemed oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows.

As Taiga moved closer, the moon's brilliance illuminated the landscape, casting long shadows and making it much easier for the black and white feline to blend in with her surroundings. The only thing making her stand out was the sheer size of a cave lioness. The antelope, though nervous, relied on its acute senses to detect any hint of danger. Its ears twitched at the slightest rustle, its nostrils flared to catch the scent of predators.

Hunting at night posed numerous challenges for Taiga. The lack of light made it harder to judge distances accurately. Shadows played tricks on her perception, making it challenging to anticipate the movements of her prey. Despite her exceptional night vision, Taiga had to rely on her other senses—sound, smell, and instinct—to compensate for the lack of daylight.

Silently, Taiga crept closer to the unsuspecting antelope, her powerful muscles coiled and ready to strike. But the rolling hills were alive with activity, the night filled with the sounds of rustling grass and distant calls of both nocturnal and diurnal creatures. Any sudden movement could alert the antelope and send it bolting away to safety.

Moreover, the moon's brightness made it easier for the antelope to spot potential threats. Its eyes scanned the surroundings with remarkable clarity, making it more challenging for Taiga to approach undetected. Every step had to be calculated, every movement precise, to avoid triggering the antelope's flight response.

Despite the obstacles, Taiga remained determined. With patience and perseverance, she closed the gap between herself and her prey, eyes of claret fixed on the chosen antelope with unwavering focus. She waited for the perfect moment to strike, biding her time as the tension in the air grew thicker with anticipation.

Suddenly, a night bird called out, the sound echoing through the stillness of the night. The antelope's head snapped up, its eyes widening in alarm as it sensed the imminent danger. With a startled snort, it bolted away, its hooves pounding against the grassy floor as it vanished into the darkness with the rest of its herd.

Taiga let out a frustrated growl, her chance at a meal slipping away. She watched the retreating form of the antelope with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. Despite her best efforts, the night had proven to be a formidable adversary, testing her skills and patience at every turn.

With a heavy sigh, Taiga turned and disappeared into the shadows, her hunger still gnawing at her belly. But as the moon continued to cast its silver glow upon the land, she knew that another opportunity would soon present itself. The night was young.

Rolling shoulders covered in dark rosettes, the big cat stalked along the edge of the hills, sticking to the shadows. She stopped at a little stream to wet her parched tongue, then began prowling the knoll for more prey. Perhaps she would find something bigger and less quick to flee. With her size, it wouldn't be as much of an issue as it would for a smaller cat or a wolf.

Ruby eyes caught sight of a large rack of antlers and, as the lioness drew closer, she noted the head of a lone deer lifting and lowering as it fed at the sweet grasses. The bright moonlight was a prime opportunity for the herbivores of the land to squeeze in extra grazing time. The buck was a little too far out and there wasn't enough cover for Taiga to realistically make a kill, so the feline hunkered down on her belly and watched her intended prey through a break in the long grass. She was patient. A beast her size had to be. The failed attempt at the antelope was unfortunate, but she had a good feeling about this buck.

"Taiga"