510 Paralyzed

RETH

He'd come forward to meet the battle, but the scent was all wrong. 

He met the female in mid-pounce, paws wide and claws out, mouth open and aiming for her throat. But the call of the familiar prey, out of reach, lit up the other inside.

"It's Elia! It's my mate!"

As they crashed together, then to the ground, he rolled, took the brunt of the fall, but she groaned anyway, rolling from him with a huffing sigh.

He scrambled to his feet and sniffed her, then again. 

His mate. His mate was here. 

His mate was here.

The mating call erupted from him and he nudged her neck with his broad muzzle, greeting her, calling.

Why wasn't she answering?

He fought with the other inside, wrestling for control—the mate needed help! But the other was too strong and he gave way…