Dragoncrest Cliffs Widowmaker

Wildfire wondered if she might feel better after a good night's sleep. Life laughed right in her face at that. The pups seemed to take turns crying and making messes all night long. By their second morning, Wildfire was even more exhausted, frazzled and disenchanted than before. She once again experienced an almost violent urge to simply dart from the den and run for the hills. Surely @Thuringwethil, @Portia and @Dio could look after the pups.

She needed a break, if nothing else. All four pups were quiet for a blessed moment and the commander was able to catch a few winks, so Wildfire took the opportunity to slip past her and out of the den. A ragged breath burst from her as she emerged into the fresh air outside. It was a warm morning; it would be a beautiful spring day. The Bandrona trotted a few feet, squatted to answer a call of nature (not without a wince), then told herself to return to the log.

Instead, she remained rooted to the spot, though she did turn to peer in at her family. The Heda's sleeping body partially blocked her view of the pups but she could make out their little silhouettes in their nomi's shadow. She waited for her heart to soften at this picture perfect image. But Wildfire just stood there and stared, feeling utterly removed and more than a little despondent for it.

Something moved on the ground of the den, urging Wildfire a little closer at last. She squinted, not sure what she'd seen. Her eyes scoured the earthen floor, her heart almost stopping when she saw a flash of red on black: an hourglass. Despite her detachment from her own offspring, Wildfire must have possessed incredible maternal instincts deep down inside, because she reacted with the swiftness of a rattlesnake. Leaping forward, she swiped at the spider as it scuttled toward her brood.

She missed. The loathsome arachnid vanished beneath the closest pup* and Wildfire snatched it up and flung it toward her mate, revealing the dangerous insect. She snapped at it unthinkingly. Her snout hadn't been designed for this—taking out prey smaller than her own toe—and all she managed to do was divert it onto the tip of her nose. She felt the telltale pinch half a second before she smashed her own muzzle against the wooden wall, finally crushing the black widow.

* Could be @Artaax or @Blixen if you want. Feel free to call dibs!

I tagged the rest for reference and because HALP!