Ylva yelps, attempting to twist away from his claws, but his aim is unfortunately good. If it had been more, well, she might've involuntarily turned back, and then she'd have been in trouble. Possibly. She's been in tighter situations, but she's also had backup.

There's no time to withdraw and regroup, not in a fight like this. There's only instinct and reaction. She doubles back immediately, scrambling after him to sink her teeth into the meat of one of his hind legs, growling around the mouthful of cougar flesh.