Yoa growled at the Croc, his hand closing on the totem behind him, muscles bracing to face him. His inner beast rippled against his skin, aching to be unleashed on the reptile who had killed so ruthlessly, and to someone who'd thought him to be their friend. The dishonour and wrongness of it clawed at him, twisting his instincts into fury, sharpening his nails into claws, golden eyes glowing in warning.
A low rumble rolled from Sahco, sending ripples across the rising water. But his eyes glinted with amusement as his jaw snapped shut, a whoosh of air sweeping across Yoa's face from their close proximity. The young cub didn't flinch, holding the Croc's gaze.
Sahco swam past him and sank his teeth into the crocodile totem, then cast a sideways glance at the nearby Takaru. His body slid beneath the surface, leaving only his eyes above water—watching, waiting, hunting.
