#14
It was a top of the food chain, predator stand-off. Man vs. wolf. The huge grays walked the circle around the camp, staying well away from the fires. Intense yellow eyes and shiny white teeth gleamed from saliva dripping mouth's.
"Look at the intelligence in those eyes," Toby watched the beasts carefully calculate their next move, "I don't like them any better now than I did when we were kids. Remember at the Lodge?" He asked Milo, never taking his eyes off the circling animals.
"Yeah some, mostly I remember Helga going so berserk at the mention of them. Dad said not to look them straight in the eye, they consider that aggression, and respond. These wolves look to be about the same size. What do you think the Alpha over there weighs? 180 maybe?"
"Yeah, I'd guess that's about right," Gary spoke up. "I wonder if the wind reverted them back to their wilder ways, or if we fired a shot, they would associate with being hunted. I don't much fancy being lunch for them."
"If we shoot, I think we need to kill one of them to reinforce their fright of man." Milo had the gun ready. "If we shoot the Alpha dog, that will throw the pack into confusion for a while, long enough for us to move on. What say you Seamus?"
"They are grand beasties for sure, but I nea fancy providing a meal for them. I think we should consider shooting the Alpha female. She is the one leading the hunting pack, and she's almost too ya boyo."
"Everyone in agreement?" Milo called out. Four voices sounded and Milo took his shot. The large female crumpled to the ground. The rest of the pack dissolved into the night, like they had had never been there. Milo walked over to investigate the wolf. "I was going to skin her, but even in the weak fire light, I can see she is crawling with fleas. That's a no go for me, any of the rest of ya interested?"
Nobody was. Seamus was further surprised when the men bowed their heads and thanked God for the life of the wolf. "She may have wanted to eat us, but she was still one of God's creatures." Gary explained to Seamus, when the big man stood watching the bowed head circle.
"Is that stew done? I'm starving," Gary complained and the rest laughed. They had just dipped their cups in the pot, and were taking cautious sips of the boiling hot liquid, when there was a wolf howl just inside the dark tree line. Close enough to send shivers down strong men.
"He's mourning his mate, I would too under those circumstances," Milo had his rifle in hand, but not aimed.
Toby looked at Seamus; "we're all married and have children at home. How about it, you fancy a wife?"
Seamus looked up sharply, " no woman would have me," he said simply. "Begging yer pardon boys, but I'm nae interested in mixing me colors."
"You wouldn't be," Toby told him and dropped the subject. He figured if Seamus was interested, he'd get around to asking the particulars.
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