Redhawk Caldera Hitting the tables without you again

Making up for not being able to spree yesterday. ;)

Link to roll.

He failed. The wild pig outran him, disappearing into the distance and leaving the winded Peregrine no choice but to slow to catch his breath. His muscles twitched with exertion and he was struck with a sudden bout of dizziness that forced him to sit and hang his head low between his shoulder blades. He had given every single scrap of his kills to his mate and children the past several weeks but he had actually intended to eat whatever he caught today. He laughed hollowly, wondering if he had already pushed himself beyond the point of return. What if he weakened, declining rapidly, and perished? Where would that leave his family?

Fending off a headache, Peregrine slowly rose and headed uphill. He needed to rest a while, collect himself, then head back out to hunt. It was his only way of gathering energy these days, what with the lack of food, and even after a good hour's rest, he would still be running on fumes. Make a catch, he coached himself as he plodded toward the rendezvous site, then use that energy to move your family. Of course, he was feeling hungry and desperate at the moment. Maybe this wouldn't feel so urgent once he had some food in his belly.

Guess again, though: when Peregrine arrived at the pack's heart and saw the frail Peter gnawing on a bone, his heart sank into his feet. His children had stopped growing. It now seemed the youngest was actively shrinking. The Alpha found himself fighting a lump in his throat as he approached Peter and nosed gently between the pup's ears and murmured a quiet apology.