Big Salmon Lake With our eyes wide open

the little savage was being humored — astara’s teeth flashed at the tempered retaliation flicker ministrated, her eyes trained on the adult’s large muzzle. 

these fights— play fights as they were — would condition the child to something more than savage beast. each blow taught her a new lesson; sometimes at the price of cut flesh or pain. 

astara instinctively pushed against the pressure flicker introduced, her throat rumbling a growl in response. and then she leapt back, giving the she-wolf a wide berth. her new motives were hidden, but she circled around the adult cautiously, her gaze measuring her opponent.