Big Salmon Lake [BWP P4 Prey Opportunity] katatonia

The tide shifted with the arrival of Moonspear; Merrit recognized the name, and his ears crawled forward. Hadn't mother spoken of these wolves in favourable light, as their allies? He had never encountered this kingdom before -- and what power they possessed. Merrit felt his heart in his throat, and a simultaenous thrill of heat through his sternum.

He tracked the Queen's calculated circle around him. She prowled like a beast from the nether; glided with an uncanny ease. And though he did not know her, he marvelled -- Easthollow had these for an ally? He admired mother, yet he found he feared this Queen. When their gazes touched, he sensed a recognition, a rally -- and when the Raven blinked his understanding, his attention shifted to the wolf at the moose's leg --

Every muscle taut and strand of fur on end, he was ready when the Queen flicked her order, and he sprung a fraction behind the wraith. And in the moment, he forgot his honour, his respect for all life, thought little of this wolf they sought to overpower. He forgot himself --

-- and yet there was a thin line of disgust, of shame that bubbled somewhere in the recess of his heart -- for surely this man had a family, and if not a family, then simply his life to feed -- but Merrit deafed himself when he folded his ears and opened his jaws to snap at the air in front of Nightstar. He was alone, but Merrit was among the many, he was on the winning side. He had to be -- but he felt so wrong.