Blacktail Deer Plateau Run free

"I can hear you, you know," Peregrine shouted over his shoulder, though really he only thought he'd heard Rob's retorts. In any case, his voice was light, as if he was amused by the other male's coarse language.

Focusing his attention, the Gamma broke through a thicket and found himself on a deer tail, several does fleeing about a hundred yards ahead of him. When they realized he'd joined them on the path, they scattered into the trees. Peregrine selected a small one—one of last spring's fawns, surely—and gave chase.

Bit by bit, he gained on the fleeing ungulate, then launched himself at its backside. The animal stumbled and he dragged it, kicking, to the ground. He kept his jaws buried in its hindquarters. Though he badly wished to be the one to dispatch it, he knew that if he released it, it might kick him. Instead, he held on and hoped that Rob would arrive to deal the final blow.