Blacktail Deer Plateau Stairway To Heaven

Peregrine blinked when Hawkeye suggested that he give Fury a tour. He sensed something amiss despite her wink and teasing tone which made his throat tighten even more. Although he was usually quite happy to defer to her, Peregrine suddenly realized that his opinion didn't mean much to her. She certainly didn't seem to take it into account in this instance. She didn't view him as her equal or her partner, nor value his input. That was her prerogative but, suddenly, Peregrine didn't understand why he was the Alpha male then.

He swallowed thickly, deciding he would have to speak to her in private at some point. Although it hurt his pride and his feelings, he didn't hold it against his mate, per se. Perhaps Hawkeye would be happier ruling alone and being the sole ruler of the pack. Maybe it would make more sense if he stepped down into the Gamma position or something. He could still serve the pack as a Gamekeeper. In fact, it might even be worth it just to see the relief on his siblings' faces. Abruptly, he was giving the idea some very serious thought, when he'd never before questioned their partnership, not even during all the trouble it'd given him.

Of course, this was nothing Fury needed to hear. "Sure," Peregrine said simply, coolly. "And, for the record, Fury: I don't dislike you. I just need time to get to know you." He looked at Hawkeye strangely as he said this, again wondering why it was she befriended strangers so instantly, exercising no caution. It was just one more thing he would have to let slide, because he had no wish to second-guess his mate's actions or control her, nor did he honestly think she'd value his opinion on the matter anyhow.

Motioning for the new recruit to follow him, Peregrine began leading the way up to the slope to the plateau proper.