Blacktail Deer Plateau Slow burn

The male had been stalking the borders since his wife had taken leave, intent on being the first to see her when she got back. Judging by the hormonal spike in his own behavior, he was half-worried her heat would have come and gone before he even got the chance to see her. But when he caught her scent heading into the territory that day, he could tell that he hadn't missed it, yet.

Still, his steps were swift as they carried him to his mate, head down and ears pressed forward. For the first time in several weeks, he ran into a tree as he navigated the forest, such was his focus on Catori's scent. By the time he reached her, his nosebleed had mostly dried, and he left only a faint, pink trail along her side as he fell into step beside her, having run his nose through her fur as he approached.