Redhawk Caldera Catharsis

The scent matched the tuft of fur Shrike had brought him, so Peregrine already knew the answer. Besides, why would the Gamma drag back anyone else's sorry carcass? Still, he did not act on any of the violent impulses zinging through him. Instead, he lifted his gaze to regard the other male, waiting for verification and possibly an explanation for her state (not that the Alpha would beef over it).

Movement in his peripheral vision distracted him. Peregrine crowded the hideous corpse, not wanting anyone else to touch it until he and Fox decided what they wanted to do with it. But Sassafras's tone made him peer sharply at her face before his jade gaze cut sideways to Shrike again. His lips parted as the other male explained that not only was the dead wolf poisonous, he was also affected.

The Alpha male just gaped for a beat before asking, "What?" What did that even mean? How could a wolf, living or dead, be poisonous? Peregrine did not make a move, still looming possessively over Shrike's kill. When he said he would take it and go, the Alpha gruffly barked, "No," unwilling to relinquish his claim or obey the Gamma's command until he had some sort of explanation.