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Russet opened one eye. "Nothing... don't worry about it."

Russet sighed and closed his eyes again.

Russet, contented, soon felt tired and fell asleep, snoring quietly.

***

Russet woke to see no light in the den. He got up slowly and went to the pond. He looked at his reflection, his father. He snarled and slapped at reflection with his paw, but just heard his father's laughter.

Russet's ears perked and his eyes widened at the sound. He knew it wasn't just in his head. He looked around and watched a figure dance across a hill as it slinked into the woods. He immediately threw his muzzle into the air and howled loudly, to warn everyone.

"I saw Mareem at the border of the valley. I think he knows... you have to warn the others, their cubs are in danger. And whatever you do, keep an eye on the pups. The last thing you need is for him to find them."

"M-mom.... what's going on?" Jullian asked. He tried being brave like Julius and Russet, but his entire body shuttered with fear.

"Julius, Mareem doesn't really know you. Mind leading him away from the valley? If I did that, he'd probably just follow me back, knowing that I'd go back to the den."