47.8K results

The steppe lioness returns to the den of boulders, her hunt long yet unsuccessful. Starvation hasn’t come yet, but it always resides in the hungry season’s long shadow.  The scent of wolf blows into her, mingled with the snow on the wind. Not just one wolf. A pack. She glances about the area, looking for the gaunt frames and slinking shadows. None appear.  She leaps onto the first boulder and climbs the rocks. The lioness calls out with soft moans. She strides around the stones, peeking into every crevice and wide crack in the granite. Nothing moves on the snow-covered rocks. She continues calling.  As she reaches the top of the den two cubs spring out of a stony burrow, bounding across the flat toward her. They headbutt her legs, causing her to corral one with her paws and vigorously clean her with her tongue. Before she finishes she raises her head and calls out again. There should be one more. A female. With the other cubs at her heels the lioness searches the rest of the rocks