choice kingdom

Caiaphas was inwardly delighted to see her invitation well received -- he was much faster and stronger than her and in a matter of strides he had overcome her. She was about to wheel playfully and spur her teeth upon him when she noticed a dramatic shift in his posture and a heavy note of seriousness besieged his grey countenance.

Caiaphas froze and followed his gaze -- and as he stood protectively between her and the dark figure Caiaphas issued a guttural growl. Unafraid she stalked with her head low past the male, her hackles raised in a sharp ridge along her skinny spine. Without pausing to see if he followed suit she flew into a hyena-like lope, her posture predatory as she approached the coyote who was too busy with his snout in the sand to hear of their approach.