Redhawk Caldera You don't have to be ruled by fate.

As the other wolf got closer, Elwood realized the reason for its reckless rush towards them. It was sick; not only could he see the effects of rabies, but he could smell the odor of disease. He opened his mouth, ready to warn Towhee away from the stranger, but before he could say or sign anything she had sprung forward. He barked sharply -- forgetting that she wouldn't hear it -- in an attempt to urge her to back off; and when she didn't, he joined her.

She had sunk her teeth into the wolf's neck with an expertise beyond her age, and was already pulling it to the ground. It didn't put up much of a fight, likely because of its illness, but Elwood still assisted. The quicker they eradicated the threat, the better. His own jaws sought purchase at the back of the wolf's neck, just above its withers. The added pressure was enough to end its life; it twitched pitifully, gurgling as blood pooled from its mouth, and then was still.

Elwood stepped back and said sharply, "Stay away from its mouth." Remembering that Towhee wouldn't be able to hear his words or his tone, he gave her a nudge with his snout, pushing her back and away from the dead animal. When she was presumably looking at him, he said, "It was sick. Contagious, maybe, but only if it bit us -- not the other way around. We still might want to have Raven check us out."