Eat or be eaten

So the theme in the Shadowtainted-story that I'm working on, is overpopulation and food scarcity. In this world, wolves, lions, sabers, bears and all sorts of meat-eaters have joined up in a co-operative society, and work together to keep a steady supply of meat to everyone. The society is thriving and growing, but now the food is starting to run out, fast. What happens then? Who will stick together, and who will survive?

For this image, the story is of a lion shepherd, looking over a flock of sheep with his small pride. He has three wolves working for him, herding the sheep. However the lion is slaughtering his sheep and trading them with neigbouring prides to get luxurious meat in return - leaving little for the rest of the pride, especially the wolves. The pride is unhappy, but the lion is larger than all of them, and they can't just leave and join another pride - the wolves especially are getting desperate.

One day, the lion breaks his leg while out patrolling the pasture. It's nothing fatal, but he is incapacitated - it's only him and the wolves out there. It's raining, so the wolves help him into a cave where he can rest until they can get help. Only, none of the wolves go to get help. Instead, the starving wolves, smelling the blood from their masters wound, start biting and ripping at the lion, until the underbelly opens up and blood spills out. Finally the wolves get a taste of fresh meat and warm blood...

Feels good making something macabre for once

Again