The Heartwood Heartwood Snacking

let's have a little more fun ;)

Koda nodded in understanding. His own parents had said some pretty harsh things to him and his siblings growing up. They called had called it 'tough love', and it was supposed to make him a man. As a juvenile, Koda had promised himself over and over that if he had pups, he would never discipline them so harshly. But breaking the cycle wasn't going to be easy. The teachings of his parents were etched in his memory. They subconsciously influenced his every thought and action. He was becoming more and more like his abusive, sexist, judgmental father, and he didn't even know it.

The hungry wolf turned to the scrawny carcass. Scarlett had already done the hard work of opening the abdomen, revealing the tasty organs. The insides were the best part, well worth the effort of chewing through tough muscle and bone. His head disappeared into deer's belly for a moment, then emerged with a dripping liver in his jaws. Koda stretched out beside the carcass, happily munching on his meal. His bushy gray tail gently swept the ground behind him, kicking up little flurries of snow.

Koda was so busy stuffing his face, he didn't notice a sly canine creeping up on him from behind until he felt sharp teeth tug on his tail. With a surprised yelp, he whirled around to see a coyote standing behind him. The big wolf bristled and bared his fangs in a snarl. Koda wouldn't have the filthy scavenger so close to their kill. The coyote took a few steps back, then turned and started running for the treeline.

"Little bastard!" Koda yelled after him, his surprise and anger making him forget his manners. He took off after the fleeing canine at full gallop, fully intent on catching him and pulling his tail clean off. He didn't realize he was being lured away until it was too late. Once Koda was distracted, four other coyotes emerged from the woods and surrounded Scarlett and the kill, intent on stealing it from the wolves.