Qeya River under the dome

it was not long before they were approached; vuk lifted her lips in a warning snarl, placing herself between her prodigal son and the great fierce beasts who drew near. one was tall, imposing, darkly elegant, and the other was a pale beauty who dazzled the patchwork girl. yet she took hold of herself once more; she stiffened her forelegs and lifted her tail over her hips. vuk was not at all a dominant beast, but she would protect seff at any cost to herself.

nares flaring, her hackles raised, she was silent, keeping her eyes trained upon the pair, chuffing sharply for seff to join her and remain out of the strangers' reach.