Like Animals

~ Prologue ~

Two lithe shapes struck bold shadows on the sun baked savanna as they ran, paws barely touching the ground. Only a heartbeat later the light was again broken by a larger, darker figure, hot in pursuit. Gravel flew into the air as the three animals thundered past, streaking across the grasslands. The two in the front leaped over a large stone, and the sun shone on their spotted pelts. The cheetahs ran, and one glanced back in terror as the darker shape growled, also clearing the boulder and landing heavily. His gray fur spiked in anger, and the massive wolf gave a furious howl and sped up. The other cheetah glanced back to see their companion staring at the wolf, wide eyed and frozen in fear.

"Rashka, no!" She yelped at her terrified friend. "Keep running!"

Determination lit Rashka's gaze, as the wolf thundered closer.

"I need to hold him back..." he glanced at his friend, claws extending. "Once I'm done, don't let Ryven catch up to you," Rashka nodded back to the swiftly approaching wolf. 

"This message must be delivered, Coreen, no matter what it takes. I know you can do it, but you'll have to do it without me..."

Coreen's eyes clouded with grief, but she knew what had to be done. With one last nod to Rashka, she spun around and ran. There was a growl from Ryven, and a hiss from Rashka, then a yowl. Coreen flattened her ears, but what was worse was the sickening silence that followed.

-AUTHOR'S NOTE-

I'm really trying to work with this one, I've been saving it up for a while now, chapter by chapter, and hopefully my writing gets better as I go on. I have big plans for this, and I really hope this doesn't get run into the ground because I have big ideas and know exactly where everything is going to go for once. I hope I can see it through to the end. 

As usual, I am open to any critiques and/or comments anyone may have, and I'm excited to get this ball rolling because, damn, this is going to be a ride.