Blackdok ran through the icy snow with his son Howl, a black and white young male who still had some of his pup fur. Winter was heavy on season and the frost was spine chilling.
They raced through the trees together, bounding and leaping in the snow.
Blackdok came to a halt as he picked up a fresh scent of prey in the air, Howl noticed it too as soon as he sniffed the air.
"What can you smell?" Blackdok asked Howl, testing his senses.
Howl inhaled deeply, opening his mouth a little to try to detect the taste. "Rabbits! I think,"
Blackdok nodded. "Good, can you locate where they are?"
Howl stooped down a little, letting his nose brush against the snow. He scented a strong trail.
"The smells coming from up there!"Howl narrowed his ears, pointing to a hill up ahead.
Blackdok was impressed by Howls senses, he was definitely improving. "Very good Howl, Lead the way then. But try not to make too much noise, rabbits are easily alerted."
Howl nodded and started to walk up the slope with his father following a pace behind.
Ahead there was a burrow hidden deeply in the snow, though you could just see the entrance despite all the white covering it.
Howl shuffled a bit in the ice, trying to be quiet as he neared the burrow but the snow was so thick it was hard not to make a sound. He kept his body and head low as they got closer.
They both crept silently up to the burrow and hid behind a rock.
The wind was subtle and everything was quiet as they waited, Howl began to feel slightly impatient as time passed, still no movement occurred.
"Just wait a little longer..." Blackdok whispered in Howls ear as quietly as he could.
Howls paws were beginning to freeze and he flicked his ears as some of the snow fell on them, All this for Rabbits?...Howl shook his head and sighed, but just as he was beginning to doubt they'd ever come out there was a slight flickering of black.
Suddenly a small rabbit jumped out of the burrow, sniffing rapidly and cocking its ears. Howls eyes widened and looked much more focused now, he made sure to stay out of sight. Thankfully the Rabbit didn't seem to detect them and started to look less alert.
"NOW!" Blackdok said in a fast shout-like whisper.
Howl leaped out and slammed onto the rabbit, bitting it's neck hard and sinking his fangs into it's flesh. The rabbit gave a twitch and then lay still.
Blackdok padded out from behind the boulder and looked impressed. Howl looked up as he held the rabbit in his mouth.
"VERY good Howl!" Blackdok praised.
Howl smiled looking proud.
"Lets go back now, It's getting too cold. You'll have other opportunities to catch more prey," Blackdok shook his pelt and beckoned Howl. "Come on, let's go show your mother what you caught."
Howl walked into the cave with a bunch of his friends following him.
"You actually..CAUGHT that?" "That's amazing Howl!" Brazzle exclaimed.
Howl shrugged. "It's not much..really i'm only trying to feed my pack,"
Scruff on his other side snorted. "Sure, but still that was a really good catch, I really can't wait until my father takes me out for my first hunt..you're lucky Howl,"
