Swiftcurrent Creek I am not a legend, I'm a fraud

Mae held her breath as Kaiaka started off, listening carefully for her fading footsteps. These next few moments would determine the hunt. She waited, heartbeat in her ears while the herd scattered and the air burst with the sound of their hooves on the ground. One of the deer shot past her, a lone form, and for a chilling heartbeat she could only hope that Kaiaka's absence only meant that this was not their quarry.

In the next instant she had it confirmed: a large silhouette trailed by a smaller figure. Mae let out a breath, tense and ready but still waiting for the right moment.

Closer now — and she darted out to lunge for those thundering forelegs. Her teeth glanced off bone at the first snap, but the deer stumbled, and a quick second lunge struck true. She latched on and bit down hard, throwing her weight back when she was sure her grip wouldn't falter. The deer shrieked and slammed an open maw against her crown, opening a gash with blunt force, but Mae held on even as blood began to pour down her forehead.