A wet leaf fell on her shoulder making her jump in fear. Startled she shifted from her hiding place behind the bush. The involuntary movement gave her away.

Stretching and grumbling she insolently strolled out into the open. The deer realised that the moment had passed, all was safe for the time being and resumed their browsing. So did the cubs and joined their mother, gambolling playfully, secure in the knowledge that breakfast would soon be served.

But for her, this was the third hunt that had just gone wrong in the last twenty four hours. She had to kill soon, for she had five mouths to feed, including her own.

The moan that emanated from off to the left was more worrisome. How far was it? It was definitely a strange male. He wasn't hunting as was evidenced by the deers complete lack of concern. But he was a threat to her family.

In a trice, she and the cubs had vanished. When the king strode into the clearing ten minutes later, there was no sign of life..or movement, except for the leaves falling to the ground.