Dawnlark Plains LXXIII

The sharp cry didn’t inspire confidence in the inexperienced hunter. Cambria fell back, distractedly searching for the source. No one appeared badly hurt, though Ulfhedinn’s mate had lost some ground. Before he could even consider checking on her, she recovered and sped onward.

The Dragonling swallowed thickly as he picked up the pace as well, eyes catching on the blood splattering the ground. Its smell filled the air as the young wolf closed in on the quarry again, just in time to see Ulfhedinn snatch the caribou by its wide muzzle.

Cambria could only pant and stare for a moment as he waited for the elder hunter to release. Yet he was relentless, not just holding on but in fact dragging the ungulate’s head down to the ground. Mismatched eyes widened, amazed and dumbfounded at the sight.

Only when the others rushed in to anchor the beast did Cambria finally realize what he must do. At first, he wanted to aim for the throat, held in place so nicely by Ulfhedinn. But then he would risk a kick from one of the forelegs. It dawned on him then that he should target the limb itself, rendering it useless, preferably before it struck the leader.

He surged forward and buried his fangs deep, through layers of velveteen fur, buttery flesh, sinewy tendons, all the way down to the bone. Relentless as his role model, he refused to loosen his grip no matter how hard the animal fought. Savagely did he bear down on his bite until he felt the snap of bones between his teeth.

If he derived satisfaction from that, it still didn’t compare to the feeling that came over him when the caribou went still beneath their fangs. Cambria finally unlatched and swiftly backpedaled, breathing hard. Blood dripped from his jowls as he stood there marveling at the kill, possible only through teamwork and savagery the likes of which the Dragonling had never known until now.

He felt such a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, Cambria nearly forgot what they were here to do: eat! But the savage snarls of his brethren falling upon the carcass refocused his attention. The Dragonling drew in a breath and stepped forward to join the hard-earned repast.