Thoughts rushed through the femme’s head when they had been attacked by the mountain lion. Panic and fear froze her to the spot, until Perdere pushed her out of the way and took care of the cat on his own. After the moment of danger was over, she realized that she had lost her chance. Why had she not run? Her captor had been occupied with keeping himself alive, and surely he wouldn’t have noticed if she slunk away. But she had passed up on that opportunity and before she knew it, the male was approaching her again, telling her to find them a den to take refuge in while he recovered. Even before he spoke his threat out loud, she knew that even in his injured state that Perdere would still find her and win in a fight. Her form would still tire before his own. Adrenaline would help push him forward, but no amount of adrenaline would make her be able to push forward. It would only be a matter of time before the kalak caught up with her, so really there was no point in trying to flee now.

And so the female set the pace this time, the male keeping up despite his injuries. And this time Shilo did not tire as they walked, but remained steady. She was grateful for the silence, keeping her eyes peeled for any signs of where they could rest. Finally she saw what they were looking for…an abandoned den. She was used to needing to take refuge if she accidentally went out for too long of a journey, so her eyes were more used to searching for subtle features. What she had not realized when she picked this spot, was how small it was. It would barely fit both of them, and it would be a much different experience than the cave where there was plenty of room for them to have their own space. But Perdere pushed her forward into the den, his form sliding along her own as he entered and lay down to tend to his wounds. Shilo shivered as she felt his form brush alongside her own, shying away from his touch. Perdere began to speak about how they would have to spend some time here, and when he began to speak of his wound she zoned out, not really listening, but thinking about what it would be like to be stuck in this den with him for days. She focused back in on the end of his words though, “You know this means I cannot hunt for the next few days, right? If we are to eat, it will have to be you to grab the food. Have you ever gone fishing before?” The femme was used to being hungry for days on end, but it seemed that he was not accustomed to such challenges. What if she just refused to feed him? Would he grow weak enough for her to be able to make her escape? After a moment’s silence she shook her head to show she had not fished before, but keeping her vocals silent for the moment.

Shilo never thought she would be in a position where she would have to hunt for someone else, but she didn’t have much of a choice now. She didn’t think that she would be able to teach herself to fish, and she didn’t want Perdere to teach her. If she could get out and do her own hunting it would give her time to clear her head and come up with a plan on how to escape the brute. Finally she spoke up, her words coming out hoarse from remaining silent for so long. ”I’ll get us something.” She barely mumbled out the words before she turned out of the den, wanting to get away from the confined space she had been in with him. Shilo knew that he would watch her leave for as long as he could until she became hidden in the trees again. For a split second she had the urge to run, to see how far she could get, but she knew that it was not time for that…yet. And so Shilo began to hunt in the only way she knew how, by being stealthier than the average wolf. The kalak crouched to the ground, letting the brush completely hide her form from view and she shimmied her form in a tight cranny, making sure that the wind would not carry her scent in the direction she was facing. It was a much slower way of hunting by waiting for prey to come to you, but when she only got one good shot to get something, it was best. After what seemed like ages, Shilo’s large ears heard something very quietly approaching, much too small to be a wolf. Finally her cool mint green orbs spotted it…a rabbit. It would not be a filling meal for the two of them, but it was better than the fish that Perdere had suggested. Once she knew the rabbit was within pouncing distance, Shilo used all of her reserved energy to leap forward and get it in one swift movement. She felt it’s neck break under her jaws, and she immediately began salivating with the fresh kill in her mouth.

The kalak padded back towards the den, but not wanting to share the meal in such close quarters, she paused nearby to eat. She ate slightly more than half of the rabbit, feeling spiteful towards the male that had a hold over her, and besides she had done the work this time. She ignore the voice in the back of her mind that said he brought her a meal last time and saved her from the mountain lion, letting her anger take over instead. Shilo was not a spiteful wolf normally, but her successful hunt left her feeling bold and brave. Once she had eaten she brought the rest of the carcass to the male, slipping in to the den and dropping it in front of him whether he was awake or asleep in silence. Squeezing into as small of a ball as she could to have as little of their forms touching she closed her eyes, hoping he would just eat in silence and not make any small talk or ask her anymore questions.

Picture and table credit to Casey!

//Shilo//Fae//Daughter of Shae and Caspian//Sister to Tiresias, Malina, and Rylan//Crith Thalmhainn//Teen//Violet//