This is a short story about forbidden lust - but not due to any restrictions by society or morals. No, this is about a predator (Tau, a felidae) falling for his prey (Hartley, a cervidae). We get no further explanation about their backgrounds, but we know that 'the hunt' is on once a month and if anyone in Tau's pride finds out about the forbidden liaison, Hartley will be eaten alive - literally.

I liked this world J.M. created where humans play no visible role at all (except in the movies). The sexual tension between the two men and the way they both want something more than chance encounters was great. What I had trouble with was the lack of hope for more. There is an opening for this to become a longer story, so I'll have to hope that J.M. will write that so I can get my happy end... ( )