Redhawk Caldera stepping on the devil's tail

Peregrine sprawled at the caldera's rim, facing inward rather than outward for once, admiring the view of the lake. He looked like a black lion, the king of his pride, with his powerful legs stretched before him, his muscular haunches coiled and his regal head held upright. He surveyed his territory with a gleaming set of jade eyes, content with his lot.

Movement on the far side caught his eye and he looked sharply in that direction, ears pricking. He saw small shapes moving among the scree and, a bit further up the slope, the unmistakable shape of a wolf creeping. Rising slowly onto all fours, the Alpha male began to lope around the caldera's edge, dropping down when he found himself above the other creatures. He did so as quietly and unobtrusively as he could, not wanting to alarm either the wolf or the flock of birds.

"Hello," he murmured quietly when he stealthily slid down to flank his kindred. His eyes beheld the other male. While he was superior in years, Peregrine was superior in rank and adopted an appropriate pose, tail rising. This must be Amon; his mate had told him about the wolf who belonged to the unfamiliar voice that had joined their chorus the other day. "I'm Peregrine," he introduced, the inflection inviting Amon to formally introduce himself in turn.

Meanwhile, his dusky eyes shifted sideways and downward, toward where the turkeys roosted among the rocks. "Gobble, gobble, mother fuckers..." Peregrine said under his breath as his eyes bounced from one bird to the next, trying to select the choicest target.