Chapter 4: January
Step in step, side by side, they ran—two beasts, one prey. As it was, as it always should be. Breath rasped through icy air, and slick surfaces threatened every footfall. But they were strong, and the prey they were chasing was weak. Cornering it was almost too easy.
It was only when they stilled, rounding on the cowering creature, that one raised his head and growled distaste at his companion’s closeness. The challenge didn’t go unquestioned. And as the prey was abandoned, hunger lost to the instinctive need to dominate, both beasts rushed toward each other furiously, teeth bared.
Only the moon watched. Every living thing within range shrank away from the sounds.
