Bearclaw Valley antlermoon

She returned to her usual post with half a rabbit hanging from her jaws. She’d eaten some, but carried the rest for Abel. When she caught Merrick’s scent in the area, her heart lurched. In the early days of her heat cycle yet, she was still ravenous. But when she realized Merrick had gone for Abel, a different feeling seized her.

She caught his command as she approached, and pinned her ears. She clenched her jaws, causing the rabbit’s bones to crack audibly. She growled, a low warning note.

She hadn’t been taking great care of Abel. She hadn’t been terribly sympathetic or nurturing. But maternal instinct flooded through her now, as her hormones surged. she stepped forward, stiff-legged. If Merrick made a move to touch her captive child, she’d drop the rabbit and tear into his flesh instead.