The snow was dense, too damn dense for his damn liking. But they had a trek to make to the mountains, and he wouldn't stop because of a little snow. Though one thing that was somewhat concerning him was the scent on the air. He knew what wolf smelled like and it usually wasn't that intense. Nor would it have tracked them for this long. They were being followed. He was only half listening as Atreus waffled on about whatever caught his interest at the moment... then he heard it. The snap of a branch behind them, then the thing was lunging. His theory was confirmed: it was a lycanthrope

His body reacted before he could as he easily manhandled the creature. It was clumsy, feral... hungry. After a short scuffle he managed to pin the thing down, slamming it into the snow by it muzzle, his hand clamped down tightly on said muzzle to keep it close, keeping its head buried in the snow as it thrashed and struggled, muffled whimpers and whines audible.

But eventually the thrashing and flailing ceased, the creature now put in its place. Kratos had half the mind to kill it, his free hand already slowly going to the handle of his axe, though it was halted by a much smaller one on his. Atreus, the boy had a bleeding heart. A trait Kratos couldn't quite decide was a good or bad thing. "Maybe we should try to reason with him..?" Atreus asked hopefully.

"You can not reason with a beast, boy" Kratos responded almost immediately, his voice firm. This was a final decision, the thing would die today.

"Please, father" Atreus asked hopefully...

Kratos groaned, loudly, obviously not wanting to humor his son... but he relented, releasing the beast and stepping backwards, his hand coming to Atreus's and pulling him back with him, keeping a distance between them. "On your feet, beast" Kratos commanded firmly.