. . . A loud snarl roared in the shadows before me. My hand trembled as I reached my fingers into my waistband for the gun, but I knew it was futile. No one ever survived the beasts. Death was inescapable. The wolves growled, eyes shimmering in the dark. I swiveled the pistol toward them, arms shaking violently. Ice clawed tighter around my heart. I let out a sob at the sight of my brothers. One had been ready to die, and the other had been fighting to live. Now it didn't matter. I failed them both.
The pine trees in front of me parted.
My eyes widened. Silver orbs narrowed into terrifying slits of moonlight. A golden paw stepped into the light and pressed into the snow. My heart stopped. The large, scrunched muzzle poked out, blood red lips drawn back into a snarl, teeth bared. I tightened my finger down on the trigger and squeezed. . .