The slight quaver in Kurt's voice is what Benji focuses on immediately, quickly turning to nuzzle his big head against Kurt's chest, the growls softening to whines of affection and reassurance. Don't be scared, little mate, he's going to protect you! A snuffle to Kurt's cheek, then Benji rises to his feet, gaze sharpening again.
The scent is -- wrong. It's sharp, acrid, dangerous, but also...familiar? It's an offensive, bewildering thing, making Benji's eyes water and his teeth bare. It's something bad, he knows that much. He needs to find it and keep it away from his mate. He needs to -- he needs to--!
The young wolf lurches to his feet, stumbles a couple paces towards the woods, then freezes. His instincts are warring, between driving off the enemy and keeping close to Kurt. Whining, Benji turns back towards his mate, then glances towards the scent, ears pinning back. He's torn, confused, he isn't paying attention --
-- which means he doesn't sense the figure stepping closer, the raised weapon, the soft twang of a bowstring, a rush of air. Not until the arrow has buried itself into his hip.
Benji staggers at the sudden impact, air rushing from his lungs, blood immediately welling and gushing from around the smooth shaft of the arrow. His mind races, shocked and bewildred but aware of the figure, the man. The wound is deep, but not near anything fatal, he can stay on his feet, let adrenaline push him to fight, to defeat the enemy, to call for his brothers. He can still protect Kurt. He has to protect Kurt.
But there's a sudden rush of dizziness, a cold flash of his strength leaving his body, his limbs locking, his back arching. A burning, paralyzing sensation, sending him to the ground with a helpless, strangled growl. As the poison acts, spreads through the young wolf's body, Benji manages to look up, to see his assailant step out of the bushes, bow in hand, laughing softly.
"Mmm, no, I didn't really think he'd leave you. The poison was a good backup plan."
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The scent is -- wrong. It's sharp, acrid, dangerous, but also...familiar? It's an offensive, bewildering thing, making Benji's eyes water and his teeth bare. It's something bad, he knows that much. He needs to find it and keep it away from his mate. He needs to -- he needs to--!
The young wolf lurches to his feet, stumbles a couple paces towards the woods, then freezes. His instincts are warring, between driving off the enemy and keeping close to Kurt. Whining, Benji turns back towards his mate, then glances towards the scent, ears pinning back. He's torn, confused, he isn't paying attention --
-- which means he doesn't sense the figure stepping closer, the raised weapon, the soft twang of a bowstring, a rush of air. Not until the arrow has buried itself into his hip.
Benji staggers at the sudden impact, air rushing from his lungs, blood immediately welling and gushing from around the smooth shaft of the arrow. His mind races, shocked and bewildred but aware of the figure, the man. The wound is deep, but not near anything fatal, he can stay on his feet, let adrenaline push him to fight, to defeat the enemy, to call for his brothers. He can still protect Kurt. He has to protect Kurt.
But there's a sudden rush of dizziness, a cold flash of his strength leaving his body, his limbs locking, his back arching. A burning, paralyzing sensation, sending him to the ground with a helpless, strangled growl. As the poison acts, spreads through the young wolf's body, Benji manages to look up, to see his assailant step out of the bushes, bow in hand, laughing softly.
"Mmm, no, I didn't really think he'd leave you. The poison was a good backup plan."