too slow in the snow

She caught the low whisper of a name 'Spider' - her ears perked instinctively at the sound. She gave a curt nod, acknowledging the stranger's introduction. In a voice gentle as a summer's breeze, she responded, "Rakia." The name lingered in the icy air for a moment before being swallowed by the pure silence of the plains. Her gaze followed Spider's careful movements, Ice-blue eyes traced the wide arc that they began to carve into the snowy landscape. A silent agreement passed between them as Rakia mirrored their movement on the opposite side, her eyes never leaving the young buck.

The plains seemed to hold its collective breath as the two predators closed in on their unsuspecting prey. Rakia flexed her paws against the cold ground beneath her, feeling the crunch of untouched snow under her weight. Goosebumps prickled across her fur, a silent testament to the adrenaline surging within her veins.

The buck -- ears flicking, nostrils flaring -- had sensed something amiss. Its eyes darted between the clusters of pine trees and the shrubbery, yet it was unable to identify the source of its discomfort. The wind blowing from behind them masked their scents, allowing for a perfect ambush.

"Rakia Perreau"