Alone Hunting

A young wolf proving his worth to his pack and his father.

Alone Hunting

 

Hylen crouched low, swishing his tail apprehensively. His ears turned slowly in every direction. After four years of extensive training and exercises, this was his final test.

            His fellow cubs were nervously watching the trees that Hylen had just

disappeared into. He had never enjoyed the team hunts; his movements and ideas just didn’t mesh well with other wolves. Independent hunters were not well liked in the pack, so Hylen’s father, who also taught the young hunters, disapproved openly. This was his chance to show his father what he could do.

            The pack leader would be awaiting his howl of triumph, the crystal clear message that the prize had been won. The hunt was a passage, a demonstration that the cub was ready to be a wolf.

            Hylen trotted onward, carefully and quietly. His head was held low and his eyes searched for movement of any kind. Diligent patience was key for any wolf on the prowl. He weaved through the forest, never losing his concentration. Finally, a dark brown head appeared, hanging low in some luscious grass. Instantly, Hylen froze.

            Everything his father taught him rushed back into his head. Deliberation and body control was key, every movement, slow and careful. Hylen silently advanced upon his prey. He felt and analyzed each shift of weight, each step, one in front of the other. When he was only yards from the target, Hylen pounced. The deer started violently, making a hard, thumping sound as it’s hooves dug into the ground. It tried to dash away but Hylen was too fast. He slammed into the deer and sunk his teeth deep into its neck. Both animals fell to the ground, rolling heavily through the remainder of their momentum. Muscle squirmed between Hylen’s jaws as the deer struggled to get free. Its efforts were in vain. Hylen timed the jerking motions of his meal, and following his father’s instruction, wrenched his head to the side at the appropriate moment. A muffled popping sound rumbled under his teeth; he knew it was over.

            For a few seconds, Hylen held on. Pride and excitement had paralyzed him. Then, as the full weight of the moment hit him, Hylen released his game. He pounced back, consumed in his excitement, and turned a playful circle. He ended in a very cub-like pose, with his front paws extended and his tail high in the air. The shuddering tension built in his body until he shivered with energy. It rose and rose into a passionate tremble. Then, finally, Heavran’s back arched and he let the force roll out of him. He howled gleefully for as long as he could. He had done it, all by himself. Every detail of his hunt flashed through his mind. He knew why he had made every decision and every move. He was a hunter, just like his father; he was a wolf.

 

Author's Note

This was originally written for school, so naturally its a little short. I might add to it if enough people like it. Please let me know what you think.

Reviews

[Britt Foster]

Awh, that was sweet. It made me smile at the end when he got in his puppy stance because he was all proud of himself. ^_^

The description when he was killing the deer was very well done too -- very realistic.

The only suggestions I have are to fix up a name mistake in the last paragraph -- "Then, finally, Heavran's back arched" -- and possibly make his prey smaller? A fawn, perhaps? If the wolf is still more or less a cub and this is his test into wolfhood, it seems like he wouldn't be the most experienced hunter yet and thus killing a full-grown, healthy deer all on his own seems a bit impractical. Maybe make the deer sick or injured if a fawn is too small.

Then again, its fiction so it's not really all that important. ^_^
Very good piece of writing overall! I really love it~

I would definitely be interested in reading more of it if you decide to expand it.

[Amzie4]

I really like it, so adding to it gets two thumbs up from me! It's very descriptive - I was able to see it in my mind very well. That's a mark of a good writer. ;) There is the mistake that has already been mentioned where you mixed up the name - you wrote Heavran instead of Hylen - but besides that I didn't notice anything wrong. Good job!

[Heavran]

For a first post, i think i did alright. i will improve myself in the future.