wolf’s razor sharp teeth met Melody’s flesh Ami barreled into him. Knocking him off her.

          The wolf turned to Ami and hit her several time in the side of the head, rocking Ami’s vision until it all turned into singe brown blur. The wolf grabbed her shoulder with his jaws and spun around, hurling her into the rock wall.

          Ami fell to the floor, unmoving.

          Timbre looked at Ami, then to Melody, then back to the wolf.

          Fire shown in his eyes.

          “…come get me.” The wolf said with a smile.

          Timbre ran at him.

          The wolf surprised Timbre with his speed and by the time Timbre had figured out he was being attacked he’d already been hit several times.

          Timbre backpedaled toward the entrance to his chambers. “Alarm!” He shouted. “Alarm, intruder!”

          It was all Timbre could do to defend against the young wolf’s onslaught, much less land a few strikes of his own.

          Timbre stepped outside the chamber and realized that with the shelf and a nearly thirty foot drop on the other side of him he had nowhere left to go.

          He saw his opportunity then and as the young wolf leaned in for another strike he latched his jaws to the wolf’s flank. He spun around and released the wolf just as he crossed the opening.

          The young wolf plummeted to the floor below, bouncing on the rocky floor of the chamber before rolling to a stop a few yards away.

          Timbre was breathing hard. He steadied himself and fought to get it under control.

          The young wolf stood and stumbled. One of his forelegs was clearly broken and he shuffled backward toward the exit from the Main Chamber.

          Timbre heard someone step up next to him then and turned his head to see Ami standing there; a little worse for wear, but otherwise un-injured.        “What do you want done with him?” Ami asked.

          Timbre watched the young wolf as he disappeared into the darkness. He turned to Ami. “…be gentle, but do it inside our cave.”

          Ami nodded and walked briskly from the chamber, headed into the darkness the wounded wolf had retreated to.

          Timbre turned away and walked into the chamber. “…Melody?” He asked.

          Melody turned and ran to him. “Oh thank goodness you came when you did.” She said. “I was so afraid…”

          Timbre smiled and nuzzled her. “It’s okay Melody.” Timbre said. “You’re alright now… and nothing else matters.”

          Melody looked up and smiled at him.

          “…come on, let’s go to bed.” Timbre said.

          The two of them turned and walked into their chambers.

THE END