The Chosen; Before the Journey

Chapter 13

We creep forward, following the tracks that scatter the path before us. Crow stays behind me to my left so he can see what I do and copy me.
Eventually we come to more open ground, and I finally spot the creatures that created the tracks.
Elk!
My ears perk up at the thought. Memories of wrestling with litter mates over an elk antler come to me. My first elk hunt with the pack. That was before the pack discovered they could pick on me of course. Before the omega defeated me in a challenge. Before I was nearly starved and bullied to death.
I shake myself back to the present. Elk. This is great! One of those beasts could feed the two of us for a week!
I lick my lips. I had forgotten how good elk meat tastes, but now I remember.
I nearly bound out into the open to take one down myself, but I had to restrain myself.
I lead Crow along the edges of the herd, searching methodically for the weakest one. There were no young calves, as it was leaf fall now, but there were always a few elderlies.
Aha! There!
I pick out the old bull. He is lagging behind the herd, and his antlers paraded many tines.
This might be a bit difficult, seeing as Crow was inexperienced and the elk were getting their antlers, but we should do fine.
At last I turn to my companion, formulating a plan.
"I'll run in first and separate that bull from the herd. Then, when I have its attention, you come and finish it off" I say. "Got it?"
Crow looked nervous. "Ye-yeah."
I give a nod and turn away, before abruptly turning back to him and giving him a lick on his cheek.
I only see a flash of his surprised expression before swinging around and running at the herd.
I focus on the blue stones dangling from my neck and time slows.
I become a white streak as I run between the herd and the old bull elk, and the herd takes off. The bull shies away, turning and running. All of this happens in slow motion. I easily catch up to it and nip at its back legs, causing it to swing around. It's velvet covered antlers come at me in a slow arc but I jump away before they can crash into me.
I see Crow's black fur loping towards us, and for a moment I'm distracted. In that moment, the elk's antlers come back for another swing and catch me in the side. I'm thrown to the ground, and it takes me a few seconds to get over the shock and attempt to get to my paws, despite the ache in my side.
I get to my feet unsurely. Looking up, I see Crow clinging to the bull's back looking terrified.
I leap towards it, and realize something. It's not in slow motion! I don't have time to ponder why, or try to get it to work again.
I sink my teeth into it's neck, and it groans in pain. It's sharp hooves kick out, catching me a few times in the stomach before it slowly collapses on the ground dead.
What's this? TWO chapters? I told you! Didn't I tell you? I did, I told you I would make it up to you. Did I make it up to you Beasties?
Ok, on to other matters. Did you see my beautiful picture of my pretty little wulfies ^.^ (nope, nopenopenope, there is no leash in the picture, don't say anything. A LEASH WHAT LEASH THERE IS NO LEASH. And those eyes definitely aren't drawn on, psh, totally...not...)

I do not own the pictures, or the animals, only the story.