Facing the threatening roars of the two female wolves Luna and Mira, the snow leopard didn't retreat in the slightest.
Instead, it gradually approached the cave, eyes narrowing as it stared intently past the two defenders—toward the wolf cubs hidden behind them.
As it crept closer to the cave entrance, the growls of the two female wolves grew louder and more aggressive. But the snow leopard remained unfazed. In its mind, dealing with two mere female wolves posed no real threat.
"Swoosh!"
With a sudden burst of speed, the snow leopard sprang forward, its powerful hind legs propelling it straight toward one of the female wolves.
It moved so fast that neither of the wolves had time to react. In an instant, it had slammed into the Beta female wolf, knocking her down.
Though similar in size, there was a clear gap in strength. The wolves were no match for the snow leopard.
"Wu~"
Mira the Beta wolf cried out pitifully as the leopard clamped its jaws tightly around her neck, rendering her unable to move.
The noise roused the sleeping cubs in the back of the cave. Sensing danger, they whimpered and cried, but the adult wolves couldn't spare a moment to comfort them.
Lin Feng, who had been sleeping deeply after the morning's exhausting training, slowly stirred. The frantic cries of his siblings had woken him, or he might have continued sleeping peacefully.
As his eyes adjusted, Lin Feng took in the dire situation. A snow leopard had invaded their den and already pinned one of the female wolves to the ground.
Watching the intense standoff, a bold thought surfaced in Lin Feng's mind.
The stalemate persisted. The snow leopard had seized the upper hand, but it remained vigilant.
Its jaws stayed clamped around the Beta wolf's neck while its sharp eyes remained locked onto the only adult wolf still standing— Luna the Mother Wolf.
Mother Wolf continued to snarl, but she hesitated to act. She knew that a reckless attack might cost the Beta wolf her life.
The initiative rested firmly with the snow leopard. It could end the Beta wolf's life at any moment and then turn its full attention on Mother Wolf.
But the snow leopard didn't rush. Instead, it used the moment to scan its surroundings, gauging the terrain and evaluating Mother Wolf's condition for the inevitable next phase of the battle.
"Roar!"
A young but resolute howl rang out from behind.
A small figure among the cubs struggled to stand before staggering forward—rushing at the snow leopard in a desperate attempt to disrupt it.
That figure was Lin Feng. Among the cubs, he was the only one with enough strength to move independently.
Lin Feng's goal was clear: to assist Mother Wolf and create an opening.
As he'd hoped, his sudden charge instantly caught the snow leopard's attention.
Mother Wolf seized the moment and lunged forward, sinking her fangs into the leopard's hind leg.
The unexpected bite caused the snow leopard to wince in pain and loosen its grip.
The Beta wolf took the chance to wriggle free, blood spilling from her throat and staining her fur a deep red.
With his role fulfilled, Lin Feng quickly stumbled back toward the safety of the den before the snow leopard could react.
Once again, the two female wolves stood together to block the predator. But things had changed. One of them was now injured and considerably weakened.
The snow leopard licked its bleeding hind leg, staring at the wolves before it with icy calm. Even at full strength, the wolves had struggled against it. Now, their chances were even slimmer.
Its own injury wasn't serious—it could still move freely. And in the snow leopard's mind, the two adult wolves were no longer a threat. Its focus was shifting to the vulnerable cubs.
Crack!
A sudden sound echoed from the cave entrance.
The female wolves perked up, catching a familiar scent. Reinforcements had arrived.
"Howl!!!"
With a thunderous roar, Ragnar the Father Wolf charged into the cave, followed by Kael and Thorne the two wolf brothers.
Wasting no time, Ragnar the Father Wolf lunged at the snow leopard, slashing its chest with a vicious swipe.
From both sides, the wolf brothers attacked, preventing the snow leopard from dodging.
Blood dripped onto the cave floor. Surrounded by five wolves, the snow leopard finally sensed real danger.
It let out a low growl, slowly retreating from the cave's depths toward the entrance.
Earlier, it had easily overwhelmed just two wolves. Now, with the numbers evened, the odds had shifted.
But neither side wanted a life-or-death battle. The snow leopard didn't want to risk severe injury, and the wolf pack didn't want to sacrifice any of their own.
So they stood there—locked in a wary standoff—until finally, the snow leopard seized a small opening in the wolves' formation and turned tail, disappearing into the forest with a blur of speed.
Father Wolf watched its retreat with cold eyes. The wolves had memorized that creature's scent and form.
This grudge would not be forgotten.
One day, when the cubs were grown, vengeance would come.
"Roar!"
With a deep growl, Father Wolf signaled the all-clear and led the rest of the wolves back inside.
Mother Wolf rushed to the cubs' side, licking their heads in reassurance—lingering especially on Lin Feng, as if expressing thanks for his courage.
Mira the Beta wolf, was wounded but still standing, also came to comfort the cubs.
Father Wolf, after checking on the injured Beta, turned to look outside the cave.
During the earlier commotion, the hunting party had been forced to abandon their catch.
Now, the two wolf brothers returned with it—a large deer, explaining the delay in their return.
Though the hunt had taken longer, it yielded enough food to feed the pack for two or three days.
As was tradition, Father Wolf ate first, followed by the two mother wolves.
Once their stomachs were full, Father Wolf lay at the cave entrance, closing his eyes to rest. Kael and Thorne the two wolf brothers remained alert, taking up guard positions.
Inside the cave, Luna the mother Wolf and the Mira The Beta wolf curled together. As the alpha female, Mother Wolf gently licked her sister's wounds, hoping they wouldn't worsen.
In this harsh world, strength and unity were everything.
And today, thanks to Lin Feng's bravery, the pack had survived once more.