Sun Mote Copse I've been swimming from the Wallace

The instant Fennec shut her mouth, gauntlet thrown, she opened her ears.  By dint of her situation, she'd learned that she had to be a reactionary fighter.  Attempting to attack an opponent who wasn't moving was a crap shoot, and more often than not it left her open.  If she stayed defensive, let them tell on themselves, it went a little better.

Niamh was quiet, but any wolf at speed would find it next to impossible to get near without her hearing.  No hesitating.  A snarl erupted near her hindquarters and she reacted, whirling and snapping for Niamh's face. Instead she caught air and teeth caught her shoulder in turn.

A trick.  The thought flashed only a moment before it was gone, and Fennec jerked sideways, attempting to pull free while simultaneously lunging for Niamh's side.  She couldn't reach her head or nape without lifting her head, and she knew how dumb it would be to expose her throat and chest like that.  So instead she kept low and aimed to hit likewise.