Hoshor Plains run rabbit run

hope this is alright. lemme know if i've gone too far, laur!

A furious yet terrified snarl burst forth from Rannoch as he watched his brother, and then Redshank peel away from the party. Rian made a grab for the ruddy boy but he was well-away by the time his jaws snapped shut on empty air. His heart lurched as the youngster scampered after Cypress, and his ears began to swivel forward, back, forward, sideways—what were they going to do!? The orders came sudden, fast and succinct and Rian held his breath while turning his eyes upon Rannoch. He listened, hoping that any one of his words could wake them all from this horrible nightmare. Unfortunately, he was not lucky enough for this to be a product of his vindictive imagination. 

Mouth still slack, he exhaled, inhaled, and steeled himself. His task was set and no matter how much his heart cried out to save Cypress, he would not disobey Rannoch's order—it was Rannoch who won the right to lead, and it was Rannoch who had kept them save and alive so far. What right, what ground would he have to stand on if he did so now? He couldn't lose them, not now, but he needed to be there for them if worse came to worse. His breathing was fast, his mouth agape, but he slowly stilled as his nerves steadied and he regained some measure of control over his panic. There was no argument left in the O'Malley boy because there was no room left for fear once given an order. Stay safe. "You too." He replied, before springing off in pursuit of Redshank and leaving the Alpha and Liffey behind. 

Rian was not built for speed, but his hefty bulk and thick musculature gave him the power to sprint. And he did, crashing through the grass, heedless of the whipping blades, until he was right on Redshank's tail. A snarl poured from his mouth, intending to startle the boy long enough for him to gain the upper hand and get a firm grasp on the situation (and Redshank should the situation permit it). He was far too large to be plucked up and carried, but Rian intended to throw his weight around until the younger boy understood just how serious he was in this moment. "REDSHANK!" He growled, attempting to get ahead of the boy and use his body as a barrier. The severity in his furrowed brows, gleaming lips, and impressively flared mane indicated there was no more patience left in Rian for anymore foolish antics. 

A sharp bark caught in his ears and he snapped his head up to see Rannoch herding none other than Titmouse in his direction. Tail raised, hackles flared, and head carried high above the grasses, Rian was the picture of protection and sanctuary—the Beta male. There was no place safer save than beside Rannoch himself. Or so he hoped, for Cypress' sake.