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.

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

Finished!

The dark Queen stood guard over their kill for a moment longer, sweeping her amber gaze across the gathering to ensure each one was well enough away. It pleased her greatly to see there wasn't any incompetence here in the most basic of instinct. Everyone had kept their distance and she needn't snap her jaws to make her point. Good. Ava far preferred the taste of a fresh kill over air. Her risen hackles relaxed as she approached the mule deer, the air ripe with excitement and anxiety and above all the smell of fresh food. She let her shoulder run against her mate's side as she crouched beside the fallen buck, a hungry snarl spilling from her throat as she let her sharp teeth puncture the hide. Blood filled the cracks between her teeth, as hot and fresh as the meat was. She would waste no time in taking her fill for she knew her pack was hungry and there were far more mouths waiting at home. But that didn't mean she wouldn't enjoy her meal, and she did, down to the last lick of red staining her maw.

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