Blacktail Deer Plateau Lost boy

Although the male recognized the howl at once, he still bristled as he made his way to the border. It didn't matter how much he loved his son - there was still an adult male on his porch just a few weeks shy of the mating season. One that had taken note of his mate's beauty, no less.

By the time he reached the border, however, he'd calmed himself enough to greet the boy with a grin.

"Have a nice trip?" he asked in greeting, tail wagging good-naturedly. "We were worried about you."

He frowned as he took in the sickly scent of his son, but that was nothing that couldn't be fixed with a few good meals. Sunny would be fine again soon.