The Heartwood the wolf and the lion

The yearling’s heart pounded in her chest and echoed within her ears as she ran. Adrenaline surged through her veins, her instincts propelling her legs to carry her faster away from the male who pursued her. She sensed his presence behind him like a looming shadow; she was quick, but apparently so was he.
 
She felt his teeth graze the hairs of her hip and the sensation elicited a yelp from the female. Still, she grinned impishly and urged her paws to move faster against the smoky earth. A thick tree trunk lay in her path and as October leapt in hopes of passing over it with ease, her hind feet dragged against the charcoaled bark and sent her tumbling out of control.
 
She rolled onto the dusty, singed ground, laughing so fiercely that tears began to prick at her eyes. Her snowy pelt was covered in soot as she scrambled to regain her footing, although Rickon had ample opportunity to catch her by then.