Devlin was not particularly fond of the crags; but then he was not always fond of the things he used to get ahead.

The dark prince had begun to use the crags as a training ground of sorts, pushing his stamina and strength to the limit as he maneuvered the rocky terrain. His large paws quickly learned to recover a slipped step; his sinuous muscles adjusted and became efficient for short strenuous bursts; his haunches grew powerful as he used them to push further and further upwards.

Today, Devlin found himself traversing the stone outcroppings at a leisurely pace. He had picked up the scent of a young male -- his favorite type of victim -- and had been trailing the youth for some time.

From the narrow ledge along which he moved, he could easily see a wide spread of rocky slope below -- and with an easy turn of his head he could see via peripheral anything headed toward him from the opposite angle. He felt haughty and immortal on his never-ending throne of warm, red rock -- and yet, at the same turn, he could not shake the anger he felt at having lost the recent election. For all his pride, he was nothing.

That would change, eventually.. Oh yes, how quickly they would see their folly; and then it would be too late.

The squeak of a dying rabbit caught Devlin's ear, and immediately he picked up his pace. His lips peeled away to reveal a hideous grin, his eyes wide with delight. The smell of blood grew heavy and thick in the spring air, drawing him closer with its siren song. Finally, coming around a bend in the crags which revealed the young loner with his fresh kill, Devlin felt a purr of glee rise in his throat and curl into a deep growl.

The younger male was dangerously thin, with lanky legs. Devlin himself had always been lithe, but there was a brute strength to his slender frame -- and there were six years of bloody-jawed experience behind his gleaming eyes.

Devlin halted some distance away, his pale teeth standing proud against his maniacal smile. His head was held low and his tail relaxed -- for now, he was merely inquisitive of the young male.

"Found yourself a meal, did you?" He laughed, deep and low.

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D E V L ! N

MALE - 38" - 120 LBS - LONER