KINDRED - FIRST HUNT

The sun was slowly setting below the horizon, painting the sky in a warm palette of colors. Wolf rushed straight ahead, paying little attention to what was happening around him. He didn't want to lose the race.

The heart of the forest was particularly dark, with only Wolf's blazing blue eyes visible through the foliage. His rough black fur was covered with twigs and dead leaves that had gotten stuck along the way.

Confident he wouldn't lose, he wouldn't let himself be overtaken. Ahead of him stood an obstacle, a tree trunk with an imposing diameter blocking his path. Determined to not slow down, his front paws pressed against the damp and muddy ground, as he exerted more force from his hindquarters to propel himself over the trunk. With little effort, he casually landed in a puddle, covering his paws and lower body in mud.

Ready to race ahead, a faint sound caught his attention. He turned his right ear backward towards the sound and raised the tip of his snout toward the treetops. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and a few rays of sun pierced through the thick red foliage, dazzling Wolf. His pupils contracted for a moment, and he squinted to protect his eyes. At the same time, a figure blocked the fleeting sunlight a few meters above him. It jumped from branch to branch with incredible agility, singing and paying little attention to its surroundings.

The figure was white, reflecting the sun like a brilliant diamond. Wolf stamped in place like a playful pup, splashing more mud around before exhaling abruptly and leaping like a hunter pursuing its prey. With his head held high, he stretched his body to gain distance. His eyes were fixed on his target, disregarding the forests darkness. Wolf could distinguish every detail, every creature of the forest; the small krugs hidden in a dead tree trunk, as well as the birds that flew away when they heard him approaching. Nothing mattered except victory. He flexed his muscles to increase his speed, avoiding every branch and obstacle in his path.

He perked up his ear again and heard a little crystalline laughter a few steps ahead. He huffed and slowed his pace, arriving at the foot of the tree in front of him, grumbling, while the laughter erupted again.

— I won, Wolf! Lamb chuckled joyfully, hidden by a few branches under the tree's canopy.

She leaped agilely, sitting on the branch above Wolf.

— Look at yourself, Wolf! You're covered in mud! She teased.

Wolf, still not responding, kept his head low, not wanting to meet her gaze.

— Well, well, my dear Wolf, I've known you to be grumpier than this.

Wolf finally lifted his head to meet his playmate's gaze, but before he could say a word, she slid down the branch and landed next to her friend. Wolf lowered his head to be at her size. Lamb was smaller than Wolf; she was about the size of an eight-year-old girl, while he was even more massive than an ordinary wolf. As usual, Lamb nestled against his face and placed a hand on his forehead. Upon her touch, Wolf closed his eyes and pricked his ears.

His breathing calmed down as she whispered in his ear,

— I cheated, Wolf. I used the trees to save time.

He mustered a smile, revealing fangs sharper than daggers.

— A good hunter uses the terrain to their advantage. You won, he said proudly.

Wolf didn't like losing but seeing Lamb's progress made him forget his grumblings. Wolf nudged her head to return her embrace.

— The day is coming to an end, Lamb remarked.

— Yes, he replied with a raspy growl.

— Are you sure you want to take care of this human? He asked with concern in his voice; like a father would worry for his daughter, a husband for his wife, a brother for his sister.