way of all things.

On the night he finished scraping off his velvet, he heard a roar from the far side of the meadow and he saw two back mounds running down the hill toward the meadow. He barked a warning and immediately all the deer ran off the meadow to safety. He stood near the far side of his meadow away from the two bears, but in the open.

"Greetings," he called out before leaving. The smaller female looked at him. He had no doubt what was on her mind. His bear just shook his head before going back up the hill. The bear should have known better. Perhaps they could catch one of Duro's group, maybe even Duro himself. It was not his concern other than not to have one of his herd feed the two bears. It also meant if they were hunting here, then something was stopping them from hunting over the hill in the next forest. That was the bear's favorite hunting location. He made a mental note not to visit the bear any time soon.

As he walked back he started to feel the pressure starting to build up inside of him. The Season was now close at hand. As he came in he noticed Balo's sent and started to feel angry that he was near Carie. Although Stena put out a strong scent, being his daughter he never felt any desire toward her. He went back to his clearing where Claris and Carie were waiting. He noticed Stuben was gone. Carie noted his interest.

"Our son came to me and said he was feeling different inside. I think even though he is too young, I think he is may be feeling some of The Season inside him and did not want to be around us."

"I understand, it is difficult the first season, he will know better next time," he said and lay between his doe.

"Man will come soon," Claris said.

"As he always does," he answered. "We will be ready for him. All we can hope for is that the hunts will not be too large and last too long.

They heard the crash of antlers down the hill from them. Two males were tossing it up hard.

"More fighting this year," he said.

"More males and doe this year," Carie added. Two of the males were sniffing near me, but ran off as soon as they saw you."

"Claris tomorrow I will call the fawns together and you take them to the clearing as before," he told her.

"Yes, Stranger," she said and looked sad. This was the hardest time of the whole season for her. She had to let another doe breed her male and he knew it hurt her inside. There was nothing he could do about it. He slept feeling Carie sliding very close to him so her scent fill his nostrils.

The next evening after eating he called all the fawns together and sent them to follow Claris. He saw doe and males pairing off and going toward their areas. He motioned to Carie.

"Come Carie, it is time for us to go too."

"Yes, Stranger," she said in a soft voice and lead him off the meadow toward the large oak trees that they had their place.