Glade of stars; #1 Storm Of Shadows

CHAPTER ONE

The grass furled as large paws dabbed the dead ground; dust disseminated as the large ground made it's way-seven lionesses. Their tounge rolling from the unbearable heat, and tails flicking from the annoying flies resting on their thin fur. "I scent Wildebeest. " A dark coated lioness rasped- Eden. She was the lead huntress, and the most experienced. No lion or lioness would ever doubt her loyalty and strength. Unlike Raulin, her sharp tounge rolled as she growled. "They're making their way towards Emrys pride. They don't even deserve it." Eden nodded. "We better hurry up before we're forced to intrude in their territory, and if so we must be quick, they will know we will risk going into their territory. " Eden growled, her ears perched flatly on her neck. The hungry lionesses continued. A small speck appeared from the sky. "Vultures." Artemis growled. "That means food. " Artemis nodded. "They're flying, it must mean Emrys pride beat us to it. " Akira pointed out. The lionesses broke into a pace. They had to save their energy reasonably it they were to make any kills. The scent of the Emrys pride was clear, and it was obvious that they had beaten them to s kill. "They're in our territory. We must drive them out. " The lionesses let out quiet roars of triumph, ready to fight. They saw six lionesses, gnawing their way into a large adult male wildebeest. The Cyrus pride approached calmly. A prickle of sympathy rose in Artemis. Their ribs were showing, they were scrawny and clearly starving. But as she guessed, this meant they would be way to aggressive. To aggressive. The Emrys pride sprang into action, their lips curled, shelikg their blood stained teeth and muzzle. But remarkably, Eden remained calm. "You're on our territory." "I'd rather tresspass on your territory then let our cubd starve!" A lioness growled. Sympathy clawed her even more. They had cubs to feed. She could even pick up Eden's sympathy. "If you don't leave the prey, we will fight for it. " Raulin roared, snarling. Who had dirt in your fur? "Be quiet, Raulin." Artemis. growled. Raulin stepped back, her chin high. Embarrassed, Eden continued. "We will have our feed, then we will let you have yours. We have our own cubs to feed. Besides, the wildebeest is going into your territory; we will go empty handed. " The lionesses guarding the kill exchanged reluctant glances. "Okay. But don't leave just leave us with the bad scraps. We to have a hungry bunch of cubs to feed. " Their was a spark of amusement in the lionesses eyes, directly at Eden. And she gave a small nod. So tiny Artemis even wondered if she even nodded. The hungry pride stepped back from their fresh-kill. She gave a reluctant glare. The Emrys pride was never this cool. Especially with their fresh-kill. They must really be starving. However, if they were starving, they would fight for it. Something felt wrong. But she was hungry, and the gnawed into the fresh-kill, biting into the juicy, muscles of the Buffalo. But seconds later, her teeth hit something sharp. Not a bone. She looked into the carcass, to see maggots biting into the Buffalo. It must've been a trap! Artemis let out a shriek, slapping another lioness. "Stop! It's rotten!" Eden glared at Artemis. "What do you mean? It's fresh. " Worry clawed her stomach. Was Eden already poisoned? "There's maggots, eating it from the inside. It was a trap!" She confessed. And immediately Eden and the lionesses stood up on the fresh-kill, their mouths covered with blood. Oh, no!