Blacktail Deer Plateau Jaguar

Paging Ms. @Fox. :)

Peregrine stood in the middle of the empty rendezvous site, musing quietly to himself. The clearing was often deserted lately. The pups were old enough to roam the plateau at will and everyone seemed to just bed down wherever they liked each night. Although he missed cuddling with his children every night, the Alpha male understood they were nearly grown (at least physically). And he certainly wasn't left wanting for bedfellows. He divided his time between Fox and Lasher, though he had spent more nights with his female lover lately as she acclimated to life at the plateau. One day, he hoped the three of them could find a common spot to share but he wasn't in any rush to force his two companions together.

At length, the swarthy wolf glided to the clearing's edge and began to walk through the woods. Sunlight broke through the canopy here and there, striking his black pelt and making it gleam like a rook's wing. The air was warm and fragrant. Without even thinking about it, he began to sift through it for scents. He only became aware of his intent to hunt when his stomach growled loudly, calling attention to his hunger. His ears pivoted in response and, nostrils flaring, he began to move even more purposefully across the plateau. He would hunt for himself, he decided, and take part of his kill to the elder Osprey.

Thinking about his recently-returned sister brought a quiet smile to his face—how serendipitous for both Ospreys to reappear in the same week!—though it just begged the question: where was Atticus? It seemed like whenever one sibling appeared, another disappeared. No one had heard from Atticus in several days now; he hadn't shown up when summoned directly nor made an appearance at the recent meeting. His brother didn't even know about his niece's prodigal return or Fox's arrival! Peregrine couldn't decide if he should be worried or pissed. Perhaps Atticus had pulled a Crete. Or maybe he was just out there still searching for Junior, unaware that she was home safe. Better not dwell on it right now, he decided, focusing his full attention upon the hunt.