Population Control

It didn't take much goading to get Manea on board with the idea of detouring for a small sporting hunt—actually, it hadn't taken any goading at all! As soon as Manea spotted the deer, she returned his wicked grin and gave him the approval he needed in a nod. That was all it took to set the demon-hued brute off on his own devices. Alastor turned smoothly to disappear into the trees, slipping seamlessly into a low crouch while he crept up towards the grazing deer. Despite his size, Alastor was an effective hunter. He knew to avoid sticks and loose rocks, he knew how to move his massive form so he was as a giant shadow, silent and deadly. Empty sharklike eyes locked onto the deer closest to him like a heat-seeking missile. He crept closer... closer... until he was right on the edge of the clearing.

Alastor waited until Manea had gotten into position, and then he struck. Like a viper, his attack was fast and lethal. Alastor burst from the brush as a deer came too close, his jaws wrapping around its neck before it could even think to bleat. He bit down with all his might, the pressure of his jaws crunching the deer's spine like it were a twig. The deer's body crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud, its legs spasming as its nerves were separated from its brain and the creature died instantly. The sound of the body hitting the ground alerted the other deer which all looked up at him with those big, pathetic eyes, and then began to run, some turning right for Manea, others splitting off towards the hot springs.

Unsatisfied with one easy kill, Alastor dropped the deer corpse unceremoniously and sprinted after the others, grinning like a maniac while he chased the fractured herd headed for the hot springs. Heavy paws thundered across the ground while he dodged and dipped through the trees after the bounding herbivores. He was a wolf possessed, and he would have one more kill before he was done here!


"Alastor"