wide, realizing he had spoken, and he dropped his frontlegs to the ground. "I-I mean... Ummm..."

Trar seemed surprised at his sudden outburst, appalled, yet impressed. "Okay, then..." He narrowed his eyes. "I will pass... today. But I still am watching her," he added sharply.

Ronno stared as the three bucks passed him. He flinched as Nacht shot him a cold look.

Nothing was safe now. Ronno was terrified that he would slip up and be next to die. But he couldn't talk like that, not now. Faline's brother, Gobo, walked over to him. "Terrifying," he bleated.

"You watched that?" He stared at the first-year buck.

"I'm Faline's brother," Gobo reminded him. "They didn't give me a choice, Ronno. They thought I'd try and get her away from them. They're trying to remind me who's in charge. And believe me, they have, and it's absolutely terrifying." He shuddered.

"Well," Ronno sighed. "You can stay with me tonight if you need to." He had always viewed Gobo as a little brother, and with good reason. Gobo had always looked at Ronno as a big brother. The two were very close.

"I'd like that," he grumbled. "Safety in numbers."

"Alright," Ronno nodded and turned. "Let's go home, then." The four-point buck followed Ronno back to his den.