[Verse 1] Dust in the wind, bones in the grass You said it was mercy—but mercy don’t last Eyes in the dark, teeth dressed in white Preaching protection while picking the fight You circle slow like you’re guarding the weak But your shadows sharpen every time that you speak Call it defense, call it divine— But I see the hunger between every line [Pre-Chorus] You bare your fangs like it’s righteous law But blood don’t lie when it hits the jaw [Chorus – SCREAM] YOU CALL IT SELF-DEFENSE— BUT YOU HUNT IN PACKS TEAR DOWN THE INNOCENT— THEN YOU COVER THE TRACKS HOWL TO THE SKY LIKE YOU’RE SAVING YOUR SOUL BUT YOU’RE JUST ANOTHER MOUTH TRYING TO SWALLOW CONTROL [Verse 2] Lamb in the field, trembling still You wrote the verdict before the kill Claws in the dirt, justice rehearsed You make it holy while making it worse Paint it as fear, frame it as need But I hear the laughter every time that you feed Say you were cornered, say it was fate— But you built the cage and locked the gate [Pre-Chorus] You wear the mask, but it’s paper-thin A saint outside, but a war within [Chorus – SCREAM] YOU CALL IT SELF-DEFENSE— BUT YOU HUNT IN PACKS TEAR DOWN THE INNOCENT— THEN YOU COVER THE TRACKS HOWL TO THE SKY LIKE YOU’RE SAVING YOUR SOUL BUT YOU’RE JUST ANOTHER MOUTH TRYING TO SWALLOW CONTROL [Breakdown – HALF-TIME, CHUGGING] (Spoken-growl) Who’s the predator now? Who drew the line? You sharpen your lies— Then call it survival (pause… then explosive drop) [Breakdown – SCREAM] PACK—MENTALITY FEAR—AS—REALITY BITE—DOWN—HARD ON—FALSE—MORALITY [Bridge – Melodic Clean / Screamed Overlay] You said you’d protect—(protect) But you just possess—(possess) Every excuse dripping off your breath You crown yourself king of the dead [Final Chorus – BIG, LAYERED] YOU CALL IT SELF-DEFENSE— BUT YOU HUNT IN PACKS RIP THROUGH THE SILENCE— NO TURNING BACK HOWL TO THE SKY LIKE YOU’RE SAVING YOUR SOUL BUT YOU’RE JUST ANOTHER MOUTH DIGGING A DEEPER HOLE [Outro – fading distortion + distant coyotes] You weren’t the hunted… You were never the prey… Just a coward in chorus— Calling violence “the way.”**
