Blacktail Deer Plateau So long, lonesome

Danni, if you have time, I'd love to see @Blue Willow in here. Otherwise, this is "AW."

Peregrine had led Atticus out to a sun-dappled spot in the forest just beyond Blue Willow's den. Presently, they lay on the cool green grass, panting in the muggy August air. The Alpha male scanned the surrounding woods and, each time, his dusky blue-green eyes found their way to his brother's slack face.

Once or twice, he felt the impulse to talk to him. Peregrine knew some others, including Ty, often spoke to him as if he were listening. Perhaps he was. Yet the swarthy leader's tongue remained tied, uncertain that there was anything left of his brother in the inscrutable husk beside him. If Atticus was aware of the world around him, he showed absolutely no sign of it.

At length, Peregrine stood. He nudged his brother, then walked into the trees to relieve himself. On his way back, he passed one of the plateau's caches and retrieved a small gopher. He carried it back to sit beside his brother. As Atticus stared off into space, the Alpha male began to tear the small critter into bite-sized pieces, preparing to feed the catatonic Pi.