Red Fern Forest you should've ran faster

MAKSIM BARANSKI

The deer let out a series of hot snorts, trying his best to stay upright. Maksim could feel it, the last ounces of strength just dripping away from the buck’s body. He briefly wondered what its last thoughts were, jerking his head again. Did it regret the choices it had made in its life? Or was it proud of its accomplishments? The hunter hoped for the latter, hoped that it was proud of its life before it was stolen from its grasp, bloodied and bested. A quick thanks to the deer before it began to tip and, as if in slow motion, fell to the ground. The male held onto the buck’s throat, a vicious snarl rumbling through his chest and his bloodied jaws. The buck was long gone.

Immediately, Maksim released his hold and sidled away so that Ava, with her tail held high, and Kade could have their choice of meat. He glanced to the new pack member, the younger black female, and flashed his fangs briefly and silently. He was next on the pecking order, along with Lily. Though the thunder of hooves was no longer drumming in his ears, it remained in his heart as the adrenaline and primal instinct of the hunt still clung to him. He was simply letting her know, wordlessly, that she still had to wait. Regardless, he was proud of the contrasting yearlings. They’d done well during the outing, assisted in catching a rather impressive meal, one that would not go to waste any time soon. In fact, he was proud of the whole pack.

He panted a little, though he remained on his four paws simply due to excitement and the energy that still remained. The rusty scent of blood filled his nose and the iron taste wet his mouth. Soon.