::Leader of the Pack:: -- Open Meadow

It would have been inexplicitly foolish to keep her back turned toward the other, and the thought registered, somewhere in her mind, that he was manipulating her. And then he was moving, just as she was to face him, her maw still open, teeth still ready to clamp down on his hair and flesh. He’d put himself in a dangerous position, and if had not been for her hind paw snagging on the deer’s own long dainty limbs, she would have surely had him in her teeth. By then, the bastard had snagged the deer’s liver, and yanked it free, backing away, out of immediate range with a swift surety of movement. The liver was gone.. he’d indeed won that battle, but there were to be many more.

She didn’t let her slight setback keep her from disciplining him in stealing her meal. She lunged, teeth snapping close on his ear as he danced away, though she’d been aiming for his muzzle. A tuft of his brown hair came free with her teeth, and content on her mark, and the rip in his ear, Verda halted, beside the deer now. Her hackles were still raised, her tail curled over her back, head lowered to protect throat and chest. She glared at him, but made no move otherwise. Instinct told her to reprimand him as she would any of her pack.. but he was not pack, he was a loner, and she must remember that. A deep, slow inhale expanded her chest, swelling her bulk lightly, and then deflated as she exhaled slowly. She still stood guard over the deer, ready to defend her kill again if need be.