Predator

As Li and Iona came into view, the direwolf glared at them with bared fangs, frothy and bloody spittle dripping from its jowls. Its eyes were a striking blue that fit with its white fur. It was large, easily large enough for a fully grown man to ride on, and it was evident that it had lived a life of hunting and hardship. There were patches of bare skin uncovered by fur where so much scar tissue had amassed that hair could no longer grow. 

The wolf's muscles rippled with tense power as it started to edge backwards, loosing a growl that, cold as the winterwoods got at night, was visible in curling clouds of misty white that rose from its black and scarred lips.