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Pack was a concept that was somewhat strange to the white wolf, streaked in crimson and obsidian. Darkness engulfed not only his face, but his mind. His tastes were something different to the majority of wolves in these damned lands that seemed to have sunk their claws into him much the same as he would sink his fangs into the flesh of its other occupants. Even so, as time passed Reaver found his insatiable need for lupine meat was abated when he was in the presence of those that Jaidah called ‘pack,’ for they too shared like minds to his. Not all necessarily wished to share in his favorite meals with him, and that was perfectly fine to the mammoth of a wolf. Sharing was not his strong suit. This night so black as pitch found the dread of the plains moving away from what he could now call a home. He enjoyed the vast expanses of the land, even with its lack of shadows to lurk within. He found that the grasses were tall enough in places that he could disappear within them simply by lying down. But it had been made explicit to him that to hunt those of the pack was forbidden, and with his desire to infringe upon such a rule fading more and more each day, Reaver paced towards the impending darkness of the forest.
Branches naked of their foliage stretched out above him at the outskirts, but as he made his way deeper within the thickly laden limbs of coniferous trees blotted out the brilliance of the stars above, allowing him to fall into true darkness. A few resilient stars peaked through the needles, casting the forest in a dull glow where strong canine eyes could see as easily as if the sun were at high noon. It was not far within the eastern edge of the forest that Reaver came upon a clearing that ceased his forward motion. Instead he circled around the dell, nostrils flared and head lowered as he sniffed at the stale flecks of blood that littered the area. Jaidah’s scent washed over him, but it was the foreigner whom she had conquered whose dried and fading blood he let his tongue run over. Even in its decayed state it made his eyes roll back for a moment in pleasure. A single ear flicked to the side at the sound of movement not far off, and his dilated pupils flashed in the direction of the source.
He was a monstrous wolf, and so concealing his approach upon prey had always been a challenge. Typically he would lay in wait, hidden in some shadow and wait for his chosen target to come within striking distance; one overpowering lunge and it was usually done. His weight was hard to contend with, and his jaws even more so. But Reaver found himself set on whatever had made the noise off to this right, and knew that such would not be the case tonight. He did not care.
Doing his best to move quietly, left the clearing behind and weaved between the trees, drawing closer to the wolf he had not yet seen. Reaver was downwind, and as a breeze lifted with the coming of the rain he was rewarded with the scent of his unknown target. He smelled aged, for the scent of his weakened joints was apparent. He slinked through the trees, coming closer until he finally caught sight of the outline of the other wolf. His form was dark against the midnight forest backdrop, but he was of decent size. Reaver had met few in this land who rivaled him in size, and though this mature male might seem impressive to some, he was only an ample meal in the behemoth’s eyes.
Unsure if the other wolf had heard his approach, Reaver wasted no more time. Colossal paws thundered through the underbrush as he charged from the side of the wolf, three strides bringing him within striking distance. He remained focused on his target’s chosen movement, for there was no way he had not noticed his arrival by now. Whether he moved to dodge or turned to engage, gaping midnight jaws sought to sink into whatever flesh he was offered as he thrust his chest against the other male, forcing all two hundred and sixteen pounds of his weight upon whatever point of the meal that he had chosen to bring home to Jaidah this night. Tucking his chin to protect his throat as he hopefully bowled into the other male, his jaws were still gaping and made a single snap into whatever he could reach – throat, neck, shoulder, side, hip, tail – it did not matter. But if he found purchase he would sink his grip into the other’s flesh and then rip backwards with unparalleled force. If not, he banked on the immensity of his size to topple the other wolf and make this all the easier.
REAVER