Bramblepoint We float before the sea and eyes,

It hurt, it hurt! His skin pulled taut as he scrabbled backwards as far as he could, kicking up dirt and pulling the pale monster along with him by its teeth. It had a vice-like grip, and Ruvik pleaded mentally for it to let him go! Desperate eyes searched for the bloodthirsty creature's own as if he could convince it with a look, until suddenly they were both thrown sideways by an unknown force.

Tumbling to a stop, finally released from the other's jaws, Ruvik choked back a pained sob as he turned to inspect the wound, only for his attention to be stolen by the brown-and-black figure who had intercepted. "Huā?" he rasped, staring, wondering what she was doing so far from the ocean.

He would not have time to wonder for long, however, as the other wolf was back on all fours, seemingly unfazed by the bull charge from the woman, and it now had the sea wolf in its sights. Again, Ruvik stared, mind caught in between two actions — to run, or fight. Save his own hide, or protect the empress who had so graciously taken him in all those months ago?

Still laying where he had fallen in the dirt, with haggard breaths he watched the scene unfold in horror, locked in indecision.