Redhawk Caldera today's not so bad

He resisted the urge to reach out and help the pup carry his burden. There was no rush and Eljay needed to learn how to best handle such large remains. Peregrine paused patiently whenever the boy lost his grip, tail flicking until the youth grabbed on and began heaving again. In stops and starts, they made their way to a cache dug into a hole between the roots of a slender, bare-branched chinkapin.

There was a carpet of smooth, brown leaves and spiny burrs covering what equated to a shallow grave. While Eljay presumably parked nearby, the Alpha swept his broad paws over the litter, moving it aside to reveal a few carcass already stashed within. An insipid stench hit his nose, though it really wasn't bad. Peregrine turned to face the pup across the coyote's body.

"Just set it here, then cover it back up when you're done," the Alpha instructed, stepping back out of the way.