The afternoon sun hung low in the icy sky, casting long, harsh shadows over the snow-blanketed plain. Rakia’s nostrils flared wide as she tested the frigid air for the scent of her quarry. Her icy blue eyes, keen as a hawk’s, dissected the landscape before her. The caribou herd was near. She could sense their movement, their pulsing fear even through the swirl of arctic air.

The hunting party moved smoothly through the thick frost. The sharp scent of pine mingled with the earthy musk of the herd, each breath bringing them closer to their targets. Rakia's feet tread lightly over the crisp snow, her body lithe and agile amongst the tall shadows. Underneath the protective canopy of the pine trees, she allowed herself a moment of pause in an effort to try and deciper just how many of them were travelling together. But of course, it was too difficult to differentiate. However many there were, it was sure to be a good time.

"Rakia Perreau"

They moved as one. Sound of paws crunching over crisp snow in unison. Eyes concentrating on the herd of Caribou ahead. Their grazing not disturbed with lack of knowledge that they were being hunted. Melanth had done good their last trip. Tongue grooming over black lips at the memory of moose blood smeared over them. She’d done so perfectly without the mess of dirtying herself up. 

Nails gripped the white earth for better leverage. Stealth becoming easier to manage day by day with every hunt they made. Thick frost ensured debris did not falter their intentions. Her large, slender frame gliding slightly ahead to better see through the underbrush. They were scattered in smaller groups. A few calves lingering by their mothers to nurse. It was then she saw it. The resting elder caribou. Though old, one could tell the years of strength she held. 

Found her.
"Helonia"~~"Melanth"

Azrael licked the remnants of their recent hunt from his jaws, the delicious coppery tang of blood a welcome reminder of their success. Two for two... this group was quite efficient in their methods! It was enough to make the Saxe brute giddy with the high of success and bloodlust. They'd done so well so far, so why not go for a third? The sun was still in its afternoon theater so they had plenty of time to fell another prey animal before the day was done—maybe even a few more if they continued to have such a successful run! Caribou was next on the menu, the animals similar to the elk they had hunted earlier, but significantly larger. Same tactics, but with more brutality. Az was abuzz with excitement, heart dancing in his ribcage as his nostrils flared, following the musky scents that clung to the tracks in the snow. The caribou even had the courtesy to mark some of the trees they passed, leaving a direct path to them whenever they would rub their antlers against the trunks they now followed like a map straight to them.

Despite his size, Azrael was quite a master of stealth, moving with the group like ghosts over the fresh powder on the ground. Only their tracks lingered in the snow to show any wolves had ever been here. But soon enough, there would be remnants of blood and carnage to leave the world a reminder of why wolves were the apex predators of these lands. Not long and- there they were! Large silhouettes dark in between the trees. A whole herd just waiting for the culling.

"Azrael"

Aristaios observed the group with admiration, the sharpness of their focus and the precision of their movements specifically — it had been a long while since he’d been part of a group like this, however fleeting it was. The caribou were close. Their scent mingled with the crisp pine, an unmistakable signal to any seasoned hunter.

Moving beside the others, Aristaios felt his own breath mist in the icy air, his ears twitching to catch the faintest sound. His eyes scanned the landscape, alert to any sign of movement. The herd was within sight now, and one would be their quarry.

He nodded to the others, a silent signal he was ready to proceed. The chase was about to begin. The anticipation electrified the air, every sense heightened in the moment before the pursuit.


""

They are a singular unit, moving with the stealth and a precision of a group who have hunted together before and know that they can rely on one another. Ezekiel moves with them, his dark form melding with the long shadows that the cluster of trees throw across the snowy landscape. A herd of caribou lingers in the pine trees, musk and earth melding together and filling the man’s nostrils.

Knees bend as they near, belly almost brushing the powdery snow as his lowers his profile in preparation to attack the herd. Nostrils flare as the caribous scent grow stronger and the man’s duel-toned eyes snap to their leader, waiting for the moment when she will release them to chase and kill. A wild smirk tugs at Zeke’s lips.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Rakia moved silently behind her packmates, each footfall a measured silence amid the orchestra of wild nature around them. The scent of caribou filled her nostrils, robust and earthy, amplified by their eagerness and the crisp purity of the surrounding air. Her heart pounded in sync with the rhythmic crunch of paws imprinting upon virgin snow, the conspicuous symphony of life taking its course.

Her eyes remained focused ahead, their sapphire depths reflecting the shifting panorama of the winter landscape. The caribou were nearly within her reach, their oblivious grazing causing a thrill to ripple across Rakia's fur, a silent prelude to the symphony of the hunt. She felt the tension in her muscles, a coiled spring waiting for release. Her breath hitched, crystallizing in the frigid air as her gaze met with that of the elder caribou. The creature was plump and well-fed — a gift from nature herself. But realisticall …. a little difficult for her to take on her own. Perhaps some of the others in the hunting party would give him a go.

No, instead, her attention found that of a female. Nothing special. Average for her size. But she was on the edge of her group, which left her vulnerable. The caribou's eyes were glassy, filled with a placid calm that was so often seen in prey animals. Her sides heaved with steady breaths; each small puff of hot air was visible in the wintry chill. Her brown fur, rough and patchy from the season's hardships, stood out starkly against the surrounding white scenery. A simple creature, living simply, soon to serve a higher purpose within the cycle of life and death.

After a few moments of preparation, the group descended upon the unsuspecting herd. It was chaos. But her mind was made up, she moved with deadly precision. And once she was close enough to her target- she went for her throat.

"Rakia Perreau"

The group of wolves prowled through the tree line closer and closer to the caribou herd, little more than whispers amongst the branches as they drew ever nearer. Lingering a short distance back, the dusky violet brute surveyed the herd like a hawk, sage green eyes roving over the animals like a veritable buffet laid out before him. There were so many of them...! The hardest part for Az was going to be picking one out for himself. Oh who was he kidding? He knew exactly which one he was going for! Beside the adult cow Rakia was eyeing up lingered a calf, not long weaned from its mother's teats. Its body was soft and supple, still riddled with the fat reserves of childhood. Az salivated as he imagined the succulent veal he could pull from the child. How delicious it would be to take down the mother and child in one fell swoop.

Azrael stood concealed by the tree trunks while he watched the calf grazing, snuffling through the snow to find the grass and roots buried beneath. He waited, prepared to rush in to help Rakia bring down her cow and mentally planning to take down the calf next. Once everyone was prepared and had their prey picked out like cattle in a ranch, the wolves rushed in, all speed and deadly precision. They moved like lightning, striking at the caribou before the herd could sound the alarm. By the time the first of their panicked bellows went out, it was already too late. Azrael was following Rakia, diverting his path while she went for the throat to grab the caribou's leg and pull with all his might to help topple the cow over. Then, leaving the fae to claim her kill, Az turned on the bellowing calf that was frantically trying to run away. A sadistic grin crossed the brute's lips as he ran after it, leaping through the air to land atop its back and bring it crashing to the snowy ground, the wolf's jaws already going for its vulnerable neck with the intent to grab and sever with a vicious twist and shake.

"Azrael"

Chaos came the very second Rakia burst from the hidden trees. Branches swayed and shifted under her weight. Debris soared through the air momentarily. And just like the previous hunts, Azrael was right at her heels. The herd scattered in panic. Their loud bellows of stress were heard like horns blown to announce the coming of war. Hooves pounded the earth in disarray. Leaving indents in their wake as they fled from the scene. Heading back in the opposite direction to which the two were now claiming their kills. The larger male turned his attention to the calf plump from various feedings. She couldn't help the smirk claiming black lips at the sight of blood painting the white canvas below.

Helonia snarled when she realized that they were not going for the elder female. Further investigation explained to her as to why. The health of the Caribou revealed that it would have indeed been a challenge. Even for the band of wolves working as one. A roll of her eyes, she slunk deeper into the underbrush. Running alongside the herd until she found a single calf left behind by its mother. It took nothing for her paws to shift, her body to spring and she went tackling the small caribou to the ground. Jaws wrapped easily around the long, slender snout to suffocate him to death. His hooves kicked the air for grip. Heavy breathing filled her mouth as her teeth sunk deeper into the boned flesh. Little did she know that the mother was making her way back to their general location.
"Helonia"~~"Melanth"

Aristaios followed Rakia closely, his senses sharp, the scent of caribou driving him forward. The male wolf at his side moved in unison, their breaths visible in the icy air. Rakia targeted the vulnerable female caribou, and as she lunged for its throat, Aristaios and the male wolf struck simultaneously. Aristaios sank his teeth into its flank, while the male wolf bit into its hind leg. Their combined effort brought the caribou crashing down, its struggles futile. The prey was secured, but its fight was not over yet. Aristo held fast. His growls could be heard through the flesh and fur of their quarry as he tugged and pulled.


""

As the struggle between predator and prey reached its apex, Rakia watched with a sense of grim satisfaction. Her teeth were deep within the throat of the flailing caribou, the hot spurt of its lifeblood filling her mouth. The taste was exhilarating, the sensation intoxicating. It was like liquid fire coursing through her veins, feeding the primal beast within her.

The young fae felt the caribou weakening beneath her, its legs collapsing under its body as it succumbed to exhaustion and fear. She allowed herself a moment to savor the victory before she tightened her jaws around the creature's throat, ending its life swiftly and mercifully. As the last breath of life left the caribou, Rakia released her grip, her eyes glinting with a fierce triumph. Her tongue tasted the crimson that lingered on her lips, savoring the metallic hint of victory. The chill of midwinter seemed to fade away in favor of a primal warmth that radiated from within her.

"Rakia Perreau"

The caribou calf stood no chance against the sheer ferocity and predatory skills of a fully grown wolf. Azrael had taunted and toyed with the youngling just long enough to have his fun, but when the time came, he did not hesitate to leap upon the prey animal that likely hadn't even seen a full passing of four seasons. The calf bellowed in panic and kick and flail, but its fate was sealed. Azrael's powerful jaws snapped down around the back of the calf's neck, grasping it by the vertebrae and giving it a violent shake until he felt something go snap snap snap! His teeth punctured through thin flesh and had severed several of the bones in the animal's spinal column. The caribou gave a jerky twitching as its body immediately shut down, no longer able to receive signals from a brain it was not connected to.

Az watched the light in the calf's wide eyes go dim, and when those eyes turned to hazy glass, he knew he had secured his kill. Dropping the caribou's limp body back to the snow, Azrael rose to his full height, a quiver of primal delight rippling down his spine. Ah... hunts always awoke something almost carnal within him! His Sidi would be taking the brunt of his successful hunts later tonight.

"Azrael Saxe"

The caribou never stood a chance. Their technique was precise, strength unmatched. The way they quite nearly toyed with the youngling, it was a display of both skill and dominance. When the moment came, Azrael, the dark brute ended it swiftly. The snap of vertebrae, the instant cessation of movement — it's a testament to his lethal efficiency.

Releasing his hold. Aristaios caught his breath, feeling content in his role within the group. While the thrill of the hunt coursed through him, his interest lay more in what came after. As the others celebrated the kill, he focused on collecting pieces from the carcass — bones, antlers, anything of use or intrigue. His true passion was in taking down other predators, the real challenges. For now, he was content to support, finding satisfaction in their collective effort and the trophies he gathered thereafter.


""

The mother chose not to come any further. Watching in anguish as the life of her baby slipped away into endless abyss. Such a satisfying sight Helonia witnessed. Teeth clamping down harder until another crunch of bone was reached. Ears pulling in direction of what could only be the other wolves ending another elk’s life. Their efforts would be well rewarded with full bellies and night’s rest. Though, she has an inkling that Rakia surely would be moving on to the next hunt soon.

Picking up her price, she wandered back t’wards the rest of the hunting party. Gaze scanning over their pile of murderer carcasses. Oh! How she couldn’t wait to dive into the organs of her catch. Bathing in the heavy flow of blood. Hel licked at her lips; before, turning to Kia for their next step.
"Helonia"~~"Melanth"