Blacktail Deer Plateau You can't take me, I'm free

Today, Peregrine's mind swarmed with thoughts that no amount of hunting could beat back, so he eventually gave up and sought a quiet place to sit, settling on a ledge overlooking the flatlands. He thought of his three siblings: Atticus, who practically loathed him right now; Crete, who similarly wasn't speaking to him much (and it had nothing to do with his being mute); and Osprey, who'd arrived too late to be directly involved in everything but whom Peregrine worried might also begin to hate him. Then, of course, there was Hawkeye, who'd taken possession of his mind and heart so swiftly while causing so much dissension between brothers. And, of course, the pups—his pups— hopefully growing even now in her belly.

The swarthy male sighed and slumped forward into a sphinx-like position. He felt happy and sad, celebratory and dismal, all at once. He felt uncertain about his future and whether Atticus, Crete and Osprey would even stay here on the plateau with him. Even if all three left him, Peregrine was irrevocably tethered here now, not only to Hawkeye but to their children. The thought tore at him, leaving him distraught and restless.

Climbing back onto all fours, Peregrine began to prowl along the ledge, his steps slow but deliberate. He halfway hoped for someone—perhaps even his old nemesis, Jinx—to appear on his borders so he could take out all these conflicting emotions on a good old territorial dispute. Yes, a good, thorough brawl would cure him of his affliction...