As I turned my head to ensure that the wolf who had come calling for a Spirane wolf - and gotten a two for one special of a variety he probably hadn't been expecting - I saw a flash of the white fur that predominated his body as he lunged past me. I inwardly chastised myself for such a rookie move - looking away from the threat to ensure the safety of another. Mom never would have done that. She hadn't when she'd taught that purple eyed boy who had attacked Samus and I two years ago. And I would never make that mistake again.

When cat and wolf collided, there was little I could do to help as claws and teeth were thrown in all directions. But I dogged their movements, waiting for my chance to offer further aide to the male who had so quickly repaid the debt from my saving him, by saving me. A growl still rumbled in my chest, a constant reminder that I was there, that this cougar would not get the best of us. Finally their tumbling seems to come to some kind of halt, just in time for the black veiled boy to get a good bite in that caused the lion to yowl in pain. Mentally I cheered him on, but I wouldn't make another stupid mistake like I had before. My focus remained on the cougar and the forest wolf, and when they separated I was there, ready to tag in.

Remembered how Daenerys had overcome my assailant, I rushed forward, trying to mimic the way she had dropped her shoulder forward and used it as a battering ram. I didn't have the space to get up the speed she'd had, and I hadn't technically been taught the technique...but don't they say experience is the best teacher? I slammed into her at the front of her ribs, close to her shoulder, and felt the reverberations of the impact run through my body. But I didn't stop or withdraw. The feline was knocked slightly off balance, but she swung a paw at me with claws extended. I snapped my jaws at her, catching the skin of her neck just as her claws ran through the fur and caught the skin of my shoulder. Both of us were snarling as we disengaged, and she backed off a little. Now both of my shoulders were stinging - one from impact and one from a shallow cut that saw blood seep to the surface.

My hackles bristled as I stood my ground, not making the mistake of looking for my newfound comrade this time, trusting that he would be there. When he stood beside me, I flicked my tail and took a breath. I just hoped he was paying attention when I lunged forward one final time. Surely, with both of us coming at her, the cat would tuck tail and run back to wherever she'd come from.