It was almost sundown. The best time for an artist to catch the nature’s colors with the perfect light. For a man hiding in the high grass it was a signal to return back, before the gates were closed for the night. He was neither a painter, nor a nature’s admirer. Yet his gaze was fixed on a forest edge.

There, in a small area with much lower grass, two cubs were playing. Their black fur was still interspersed with gray spots, pointing to their young age. Though both were the size of small dog, their sharp teeth and tough claws could do serious harm to a clumsy hunter. The man moved slowly, approaching the cubs, when a surprised whisper made him freeze for a moment.

“Wolf ants…”

Irritated by his follower’s blunder, the man gave him a stern look. The youngster still had a lot to learn, raising his voice in the presence of a precious prey. Fortunately, the cubs were still engrossed in their play. The hunter nodded to his apprentice, and a teenage boy readily took out a net. The boy moved further, trying to encircle the cubs. A drop of sweat slid down his forehead. Certainly, he will remember this task as one of the most important achievements in his life. Even if they can catch one cub, it would be a great achievement, but if they are lucky to get two…

Lost in thoughts, the hunter still was sharp enough to sense the danger. He made a signal, and to his relief the boy stopped. The man gritted his teeth. Peeved, and yet ashamed by his own haste he gazed at the sudden danger. A grown-up wolf stepped from the tree shadows, hidden all this time. And to make things worse, it wasn’t a worker, but a soldier. The creature the size of the bear is said to be able to bite a man in two. There were no means to defeat this monster and survive for both of them.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The wolf ant lowered its head and coughed twice. The cubs immediately ran to the grown-up, though without ceasing their game. Instead, they started playing with the beast’s muzzle, nuzzling and biting it.

Both hunters slowly retreated from the sight far enough, when the boy dared to speak first.

“Should we just leave? We could still try to get them.”

“No way. We would need to kill the soldier first. But even if we are lucky enough to do so, the cubs would run away before we could catch them. It’s a needless risk.”

The boy sighed and rolled up the net. He bit his lip, while preparing for their leave, but couldn’t hold his lament.

“Two cubs at once. It would cost a fortune.”

“It’s a shame, but we will try another time. Originally, we weren’t after them. The two flydeers will do for the welcoming feast of the Tower delegation. Now let’s return to the city and meet them. We can finally hear the news of our next homeland.