Sol rummaged through the overflowing rubbish bin, her claws scraping against metal as she sifted through scraps and filth. Her nose wrinkled at the stench, but desperation drove her to keep searching. A half-eaten sandwich, a soggy apple core—none of it was worth her time. With a guttural hiss, she swiped at the bin, sending its contents scattering across the grimy alleyway.

Her stomach twisted in protest, an ache that reminded her just how long it had been since she'd tasted anything truly satisfying. Days had passed since she'd foolishly let those plump, oblivious humans slip away, their warmth and scent still haunting her memories. She cursed her momentary lapse of judgment, the fleeting spark of mercy that now felt like an unforgivable mistake. Hunger gnawed at her resolve, sharpening the edges of her regret.

A chitter broke into Sol's brooding, pulling her attention from the scattered trash. A wiry compy darted into the pile, its nimble claws raking through the debris as it snatched up a scrap of gristle. It tilted its sleek head to the side, one bright eye gleaming as it chirped, "You're up early, Golden."

Sol huffed, her tail flicking with irritation. She hated that nickname. The dim alley light caught the faint gold shimmer of her scales, the mark of her kind, but she wasn't in the mood for flattery. "Yeah, well, can't get anything decent around here," she grumbled, shoving a tattered bag aside with one claw.

The compy sniffed, its slender snout twitching. "Why don't you hunt with the big rexes? Or the spinos, for that matter?" It clicked its teeth, mocking her with the casual ease of someone who didn't share her struggle.

Sol's lip curled, exposing a flash of sharp teeth. "You think I haven't tried? Rexes hog everything, and the spinos..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "They'd rather snap you in half than share a kill. I've got enough problems without tangling with them."

The compy made a chirring noise that might have been a laugh. "Suit yourself, Golden. But don't waste too much time on scraps. Hunger makes you reckless." With that, it skittered away, vanishing into the gloom like a wisp of shadow, leaving Sol alone with her hunger and her frayed patience.

SCENEBREAK

After rifling through a few more rubbish bins with nothing but frustration to show for it, Sol gave up. Her claws scraped against a torn scrap of cardboard as she growled low in her throat, hunger souring her mood. Enough. She'd head back to her little den, tucked away in the shadows of an abandoned toy store. At least there, the echoes of her hunger didn't mock her so loudly.

As she slipped through the alleyways, a faint, unnatural glow cut through the gloom ahead. She froze, muscles coiling instinctively, her sharp eyes scanning the dim space. Before she could move, a shape emerged from the haze—a lean, muscular form that prowled closer with fluid, predatory grace. The snarl hit her before the figure fully revealed itself, a sound so familiar it sent a thrill of both annoyance and wariness through her chest.

"Oh, hey," Sol muttered when the raptor stepped into view, her voice low and dismissive. She huffed, a thin wisp of smoke curling from her nostrils as she planted her claws on her hips. "What do you want?"

The raptor tilted its head, sharp yellow eyes gleaming as it studied her. It didn't answer at first, instead letting out a snort and shaking its head, spines along its neck rippling like a restless wave. "You're up early," it finally said, a dry humor laced in its rasping tone.

Sol hissed, her tail lashing behind her. "And what of it? If you're here to waste my time—"

"The Big One wants to see you," the raptor interrupted, its voice cool, clipped, and efficient. "By the way." It turned its head slightly, waiting to gauge her reaction.

Sol narrowed her eyes, feeling the weight of the words settle uncomfortably in her gut. "The Big One," she echoed, her voice wary now. "What does he want?"

The raptor only huffed again, sharp teeth glinting as it offered nothing more. Sol sighed heavily, smoke twisting in the air again as her head tilted back in exasperation. Whatever this was about, she had a feeling it wasn't going to improve her day.

SCENEBREAK

Sol followed the raptor through the dense underbrush, her sharp claws crunching softly against the ground. The forest grew thicker, branches intertwining above to form a canopy that filtered the sunlight into shards of gold and green. She could hear the rustling of movement above, the occasional screech of the pack as they moved about in the trees. The air was tense, charged with the predatory energy of a raptor hideout.

They finally came to a clearing where a large nest was woven high into the trees. Before Sol could take in all the details, a massive shape loomed above her. The alpha raptor emerged from the shadows of the nest, its speckled hide blending with the mottled light filtering through the branches. With a fluid motion, it leapt from the perch, twisting mid-air before landing heavily in front of her. The ground shuddered faintly beneath its weight.

The alpha straightened, his piercing yellow eyes locking onto Sol. His lips curled into something resembling a smile, though it didn't reach his predatory gaze. "You're the drake that tore up a rex's head, aren't you?" he asked, his tone equal parts impressed and dangerous.

Sol's posture stiffened, her tail flicking warily behind her. "What's it to you?" she replied, her voice low, coiled with caution. She wasn't about to let her guard down in the presence of a pack leader—especially one this confident in his power.

The alpha raptor huffed a short laugh, the sound sharp and guttural. "Relax," he said, circling her slowly, his claws tapping against the ground with each deliberate step. "Word travels fast in this forest. You've got a reputation, Golden. Enough to make even the big ones nervous."

Sol's eyes narrowed, smoke curling lazily from her nostrils. "If this is about trying to recruit me, save your breath," she snapped. "I don't do packs."

The alpha stopped, his sharp grin widening. "Who said anything about a pack?" he said, his voice dropping to a smooth, calculating purr. "I've got bigger plans. And I think you'll want in."