Bloodflood

The girl moved through the snow with as much grit and speed as she could muster, trailing Astra's heels as Cinder pushed past. For a moment her eyes trailed her sister, her best friend's, form as she moved with all the grace and purpose Quil thought she might never see again. It felt good to run and to hunt, and to have a role, but it felt even better to see Cinder's efforts. At this, Quil felt all the more exhilarated and as Maksim gave the command and moved to closed in on the target, Quil followed up behind Astra. Being her first up-close and personal experience, she was really unsure of what to do next or where to go. In a fleeting moment of hesitation she paused, her body stiff with anticipation as she watched the adults find their own positions to come in for the kill. Gulping down the remainder of her uncertainty, Quil bolted forward with a low, rumbling growl as she lunged tactfully for the deer's shoulder, her teeth grazing the skin and flesh without having landed a solid grip. Her next move was toward the beast's tender underbelly, where she bit with all the power a youngster could harbor. Her jaws clenched down around a mouthful of fat, flesh, and fur as blood filled her mouth.

The old mule deer was rushing towards them with fear rolling in his soft brown eyes, kicking its legs in all directions in an effort to avoid the snapping wolves who had directed their prey's movements like a puppet master. Hati sank to the ground, his flanks nearly brushing up against those of his pack-mates, his heart beating wildly in fearful anticipation. Time seemed to slow unbearably the closer the buck came, and eventually the black male fought to control his excitement. He barely had time to think over his actions as Maksim burst into the open and, as one, he and the rest of the team followed.

Even as Maksim's powerful jaws connected with the beast's neck, Hati's latched onto the other side. Blood immediately drenched his face and chest as he tore into its flesh, the taste of fresh meat driving his predator instincts to go wild. Ugly gurgles came from his throat, a remnant of what had once been a dangerous snarl. Blood blinded him but he did not release his hold, but ground his teeth together all the while dancing along with the stumbling creature to avoid its thrashings. It was weakening quickly, and Hati could feel its torn knees give way under the weight of the wolf pack. Satisfaction and a sense of victory was already flooding the river wolf as the mule deer fought to escape but could not. Its knees connected with the ground giving Hati a moment to gain a better hold on its throat but it managed to rise again, even though no hope was left for its life.

The adrenaline coursed through her, and while her gaze was focused upon the pack’s target –primarily to avoid injury – form the peripheral vision, she could notice the pack lining up to begin taking the beast down. She could hear the thrum of her pack mate’s paws slicing through the snow covered ground – kicking up the snow in waves of confusion. Her own form darted to the side then, her heart fluttering as she was uncertain of what to do to better her comrades.

Her amber gaze glinted off the lethal teeth of Quil, and within that instance, Cinder knew she was not to be outdone by her sister – Quil was a martyr who only hoped to provide for her sibling and pack, while Cinder was a vain creature that refused to be left behind in the dust. With a loose growl, she lunged forward, her grace turning to a clumsy stumble, and yet her jaws would meet their grasp as fangs slashed to the side of its underbelly. Blood filled her senses, and her eyes turned alight with victory. Cinder Attaya had her first strike against prey so large, and the elation she felt could be unmatched.

Tearing her muzzle down, and in turn, gouging further, she heard the beast grunt with the weight of the wolves, could feel its life draining from its body. Soon, its energy would become theirs – they would live because of this. It was then that Cinder would take a pace back, knowing it would soon fall. She certainly did not want to be trapped beneath it.

/ties this up now because i kept this going long enough and most of the participants aren't even active for a second round. >< i'm sorry.

The deer stomped and panicked as the River wolves, one by one, sunk their teeth into his flesh. Its wide, brown eyes were filled with fear as he stumbled. Where is my safety? My herd? The buck did not want to die, not here. Not to the teeth of filthy wolves. He fell, unexpectedly, and desperately struggled to stand once more. When he was young he had been fast, he had been strong. But now? He was old and the speed and strength of youth had long left his bones. This was to be his death bed. He could not fight it. All he could do now was accept it. He had lived well, bred many times. He had no regrets.

Maksim yanked and tugged, attempting to crush the deer's windpipe. Blood flowed freely as the deer snorted. With two wolves latched onto the throat of the beast and several others dotted around the body, it was a surprise it had lasted so long already. The River wolves' leader snarled as the weakened buck's legs buckled once more, yet he did not struggle up from his knees this time. The deer sunk down, into the snow, and gave up. Maksim did not let up on his choke hold, though. Not yet. Not until he felt every ounce of life drip from the neck of his prey. He pushed down, pressing the deer's head into the snow that slowly reddened. Only when the hoarse, laboured breathing of the buck stopped did the agouti wolf step back, snarling at the other wolves—his subordinates. Lifting his tail and taking his position at the belly of the beast, he did not hesitate to tear into the flesh hungrily. The wolves of the River would feed.

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue