Gaved, although he normally loved beating seven kinds of hell out of unwary trespassers or unworthy challengers, was not enjoying patrol that day. For perhaps the first time in his life, he would rather be back at the den, fussing over his new saltwife's cubs or even trying to spend time with his first wife. This patrol was an aggravation, a chore that he had signed up for out of a sense of duty rather than interest.
At the challenger's roar he snarled. At least this patrol wouldn't be dull. He could take out his frustrations on whichever hapless lion sought to win entrance to the pride today.
The lion, as it turned out, was a lioness. Gaved sized her up as he neared her, sneering. He didn't bother to return her roar. "Looking for a beating, lioness?" Gaved growled. He lunged without further warning, seeking to land a blow to the side of her arrogant head. It would be satisfying to knock her out immediately.