Thunder Dome but my mother lingered for weeks after a fat guard broke her jaw

Dogs.

They were everywhere; unavoidable pests like biting flies. Maud returned to the mountains once the worst of her heat had passed. A wandering spirit, she didn't linger on the Sunspire. She wanted to travel north, being less familiar with that section of the wilds. But to do that required weaving around the new swarm of dogs that settled in the vale. Northstar Vale was a favored spot of hers, which made her thrice as bitter about having to round it.

Now, Maud dozed in the hidden forest, deeming it relatively safe in that it was one-hundred percent wolf-free... until it wasn't. A small ear flicked atop her head when it detected a disturbance. She roused easily in catlike fashion, ever-ready to pounce into action — even from slumber. Listening fully now, she recognized the noise as voices. She pulled herself to her feet and stretched out her legs, preparing them for fight or flight.

Her keen eyes spotted the white dogs with ease against the greenery, and they hardened into a ruby glare. Their scent was that of the vale wolves. She clenched her jaw, hair-trigger temper activated. No matter where she went, dogs inevitably followed. And worse: where there was one, there were more. Maud was just about fed up with it. Deeming some population control was in order, she slunk into the underbrush on silent paws to wrap around them. From the smell of it, there were only two here. If she could catch them off-guard, they shouldn't be too much trouble.

Their backs were to her. Analyzing them, she chose the smaller, elder dog as her prey. Hind muscles coiled, tension spreading up to her neck until she sprung. Broad paws beat the earth as she sprinted full speed ahead. She soared, arms extended with unsheathed claws aiming to sink into the old crone after barreling her over. Should they flee, she would easily catch her quarry. Should they fight... well, they'd have to answer to needle claws and the blades of her teeth.