Zephyr Rill we're all battling fear

let ‘em say what they gonna say

Lilliana Stark

Lil had to admit, it looked like an easy target, but she'd never chased anything bigger than a rabbit and only ever caught the one. Others she had tackled and then let them go when they screamed because, well she was bigger than they were and she supposed it would be pretty scary, even if she was just playing. "Yeah but how would we get it home?" She supposed they could just call for the grown ups to come and cart it back for them, and they'd be so impressed! "Ok, lets do it!" They'd seen enough hunts by now to have the gist of it down. Run and bite yeah? So the tawny pup inched closer, trying to maintain as much cover as possible. She didn't want to run out of breath before she even reached the thing.

Her twin made a good point—how were they going to get the deer home once they felled it? She shook her head, dismissing the question. They would deal with that when the time came. First they had to hunt the poor, old doe. Then they would deal with moving the lifeless body back to Hearthwood territory. With a few adults it would be easy. But, like her sister, Lavender wanted to show her parents (and the rest of the pack) that they were capable of hunting without adult help. And not just rabbits or squirrels—but actual hunting. Big game. We can do it, she nodded in determination as she bumped her sister’s shoulder before prowling toward the scruffy looking deer, her rump wriggling in anticipation. They just had to be quick and avoid the sharp paws. Hooves? Whatever.

Once she was in range of the old doe Lavender branched off to the side, in hopes of swinging around to the front of the deer so she could steer it in the direction of her sister. Excitement fuelled her steps as she kept low, using whatever foliage was available to mask her pale pelt. Without warning the girl rushed forward, nipping at the deer’s ankles as she herded it toward Lilliana.

Want to fade with your next?

They probably should have discussed it more before just jumping right on in. As her sister launched toward the deer, Lilliana found herself taken totally by surprise, half poised to make her own attack. A startled bark left her lips, the old doe leaving them in the dust as she turned with the dexterity of a much younger creature (and one more experienced than two young pups too far from hom in the failing light. "Darnit!" she cursed the doe who dared to flick her tail at the youthful wolves. A heavy sigh left her chest, adrenalin still coursing through her veins. She had to do something with all this energy. "Race home? I'll give you a head start, maybe we can come back out with some grown ups andtrack her back down."

It was no surprise that the old doe had outsmarted the trouble twins. They weren’t exactly the most graceful wolves and they had not even discussed a plan of attack. The creature had leapt out of the way of Lilliana, taking a sharp turn into the trees and avoiding the tawny Stark completely. An exasperated bark escaped her, filled with frustration as she kicked at the ground. Dumb doe! She called out, her brows furrowed as she watched the deer lope off into the distance. Her tail wagged at her sister’s suggestion, as it distracted them from their failed hunting attempt. Sounds good! She chirped as she bounded forward, a wide grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. Bet I can beat you there! Without another word she took off, sprinting toward the trees in the distance. With the help of a few adults perhaps they could track and hunt the old doe. Teach her a lesson for outsmarting them…

Fade.