AN: We'll return to our [stalker?] Alpha CEO and Citra's encounter with her soon enough! But first...
Trigger Warning
: Some descriptive, beastlike hunting and feeding upon another animal. Practically National Geographic level!
My claws dug into the bark for stability. The branch creaked under my weight as I settled into position. Below me stretched a narrow game trail I'd found. Worn into the forest floor by countless hooves and paws.
I'd spent a full hour tracking the scent of deer before finding this
perfect
ambush spot along it.
Werewolves typically hunt in groups... even though they can run down prey alone with sheer stamina and overwhelming force. It's just easier that way. So the prey doesn't waste their time. So they can bring back more in the same period for the pack.
But I'm not
really
a werewolf, am I? My soul remembers being an
exquisite fox
- and we hunt differently. Alone.
Stealth
.
Pounce
. Smaller game... but I'm not limited to small food, now!
I remained perfectly still after climbing to my waiting spot. My breath is slowed to minimize sound and movement. My heightened senses tracked every rustle of leaves, each distant bird call, until finally... the soft crunch of approaching footsteps.
The
young buck
appeared where I hoped. His antlers were still not much wider than his ears, but the number of points on them suggested a healthy environment. He moved very cautiously... stopping every few steps to sniff the air.
> Silly thing is checking for predators at ground level. An advantage for us. Thank you. For not interfering. It's keeping track of resources. Wouldn't you agree? It has range limitations. Just what should I make of that? Now it's giving me orders, is it? I knew I didn't like this place and its smelly wolves. <
My companion growled at my
provocation
and I tittered back.
After all, what good are allies that can't take a... well, maybe it wasn't
entirely
a
joke
.