Duck Lake dancing shores

cold split around his chest as he surged forward, jaws clamping hard around the cow’s hind hoof. he did not rush the kill—he dragged. slowed her. weight and muscle working together as he pulled her off balance, forcing her head low, breath tearing from her in panicked bellows.
he felt the opening before he saw it.
the white female moved. princess cut at the flanks, sharp and relentless, denying every desperate attempt to break free. uktark held fast until the cow faltered, until the river churned red and her strength bled out beneath them.
when she went down, he released.
uktark backed through the shallows and settled hard on his haunches, chest heaving, steam rolling from his mouth in thick clouds. water streamed from his fur; blood clung dark to his legs. he watched the carcass, then the women—alert, present, approving.
a low sound rumbled from him.