Lana and children stepped into the forest full of sounds, smells, and life. Paws softly tread on the moss and grass, with each step picking up speed. A chilly night breeze burrowed into the fur, urging them to run faster. To the right of Lana, Vicky was bouncing around, squealing with pleasure, and Nicky followed to the left, silently, staring in the darkness of the woods. He had to take on the role of protector so soon, the head of their small family. Only respect for his mother did not allow him to lead their little group. Today Lana really wanted for his son to loosen up and just enjoy the freedom, the excitement of hunting, the energy that gave them the beastly body. Therefore, after making a decision, she turned their small squad towards the far side of the National park, in the hope that there they would not cross anyone.
Waving between the trees, they plunged into the bush. The leaves just started to appear on the branches, and the moonbeams were breaking through it here and there, caressing their soft fur with their silver touches. Lana caught the smell of prey with her nose and froze, followed by kids. The roe deer was close, only a hundred meters to the north. Lana turned her muzzle to her son, he also sensed the prey, and now he was scanning surroundings, calculating the next move. Shifters in animal skins had a special gift, some members of the pack, especially close relatives, could exchange their thoughts. It was like telepathy, although they didn't communicate with words, but rather pictures and feelings.
As soon as Lana send Nicky her plan of hunting, he replied approving it. Lana turned to Vicki and ordered to follow her. Nick plunged into the bush slightly to the side, entering the victim in the rear. So, stealthily, they crept to the very edge of a small meadow. On the other side of it, they already could see the graceful silhouette of the roe deer. The animal was no longer young, but the human side of Lana appreciated the beauty of this creature for a second.
Stalking forward with Vicky, they began to shorten the distance, moving along the border of trees. Roe deer did not notice them and quietly ate the young grass. There were only a couple of meters left, and all the muscles in Lana's body began to tighten like a spring, ready to pounce. In the throat started to bubble prepared roar, she almost vibrated with impatience. Another step ...
In the bushes, where Nicky was supposed to lie in wait, sounded a sudden crackling and growling. Lana didn't have time to react, as two wolves clawing at each other rolled into the clearing, scaring the roe deer away. The first black one, Lana immediately recognized as her son and rushed to the rescue. The second wolf was considerably larger than Nicky, with brown fur.
Lana was just a few steps away from the fighting when she was suddenly knocked down. The second wolf with grey fur pounced without warning, fangs sank into her nape, not giving Lana even a chance to get away. Pinning Lana down, this huge predator began to shake his head, as if trying to tear a piece of flesh from the back of the she-wolf.
Lana howled, trying to brack free herself. She wriggled, attempting to reach the enemy with her maw, but the beast held her tightly with his fangs, and the pain immobilized her momentarily.
Suddenly she felt the wolf shudder above her. With the last bit of her strength, Lana jerked away, rolling aside and leaving a clump of her flesh in the opponent's teeth. A little recovered and turning her head towards the wolf, Lana was horrified.
Her little girl bit into this wolf's back and held with her all while he tried to throw the pup off. Then the beast pushed off and turned over, began rolling on his back, crushing Vicky under him. She let out a squeal of pain. Lana gathered the last bits of her strength and, choosing a moment, she rushed to the offender aiming at his neck. Jaws closed on an unprotected throat. A sweetish taste of blood spread in her mouth, and she heard wheezing from above. The predator inside demanded to tear out the bastard's throat, rip, shred, kill. A piercing fear forced her to open her jaws, releasing the wolf.
He crouched to the side. Lana bared her teeth, skirting the predator and going closer to her daughter. Vicky was worn down and frightened, but no severe wounds could be seen. Lana issued a menacing roar in the direction of the grey wolf and, pushing forward, snapped her teeth, warning. The wolf himself did not hurry to attack, blood was dripping from the mouth, and the fur on his chest and neck became all sticky.
Lana tried to find Nicky out of the corner of her eye, still keeping an eye on the enemy. Nicky held his ground well, although the shiny black coat was all disheveled, and here and there, there were dark spots. But his opponent did not look any better. One moment they were grasping each other, then again bounced off to the sides with a growl and preparing for a new attack. Its seems they danced around each other like this for sometimes.
Suddenly, Nicky's enemy froze, lifting his snout up and sniffing. Then, abruptly barking, he turned and rushed into the bush. The other did not hesitate to follow him. Lana immediately ran to her son and began sniffing, looking for wounds. Nicky grumbled displeased, pushing his mum towards his sister and keeping his eyes on the edge of the forest. Something was still bothering him. Lana, succumbing to a sudden impulse, lifted her nose to the wind and froze. A shudder passed her body.
In the air, in the direction where the wolves fled, the smell of people, humans, was clearly discernible. And among them, there was the smell that Lana couldn't mistake with anyone. Greg!