Arrow Lake every breath of borrowed time is heavy in my chest.

She jumped into the scuffle just as the otter met Mesa's teeth. The arrival of a much larger predator seemed to startle it enough to attempt to scurry away. The piece of fish clearly stolen from their cache laid forgotten, cast aside in the creatures attempt to flee. Taki wouldn't let the little thief get away, though, especially not after it attacked her son. Plus, it seemed like a good learning opportunity. She quickly jumped forward, launching from the ground on powerful legs, her muscles tensing in response to her demand of them. She landed on the otter and pinned it to the ground under her front half, its teeth sinking into her arm before she could maneuver her limbs in a way that pushed its head into the ground.

Wherever her son was at the time, she glanced up at him expectantly, waiting for him to jump in and help her finish the hunt.