Redhawk Caldera Winterlight

Peregrine fancied he could see the gears working in his subordinates' heads as they, too, attempted to single out the best target. Had prey been more bountiful, they might have taken a bigger risk and gone after the buck, which would give the most meat. But the pack hunts had failed two weeks in a row and winter was close at hand, so they needed to go after the safest bet, not the biggest payout. For this reason, Peregrine was personally eyeballing the smallest doe.

She stepped away from her three counterparts and, just like that, the choice was made for them. Peregrine licked his chops and exchanged a long glance with Somnia, then Elwood. He motioned for them to give him a moment as he pondered strategies. As Alpha and lead Gamekeeper (seeing as he was the only one formally titled), he took it upon himself to lead this miniature hunt.

You go left, he signaled to Somnia, giving her a nudge, and you go right, Elwood. Go around the herd and station yourself about ten feet apart. I'll drive her into the trap you lay. Using body language, the Alpha male conveyed his instructions to his pair of hunting partners, then once more signaled for them to wait. He didn't want them moving until he was absolutely sure none of the deer would become alerted to their presence.

When all but one doe were bent over to clip at the dry, dying grass, Peregrine nodded his head, issuing a silent command for Somnia and Elwood to take their positions.