Blacktail Deer Plateau he ain't heavy

The man's fur bristled without his knowledge or permission at Shale's words. He'd known, of course, that Murdock had been eyeing his wife. It wasn't surprising, and he didn't exactly care... but spring was approaching, and his naturally long-fused temper was on a hairtrigger at the moment.

Still, he was able to swallow the anger after a short beat of silence. "Who can help it?" he said, trying for levity and achieving malevolence. He cleared his throat, averting his eyes at the mention of their littermate. "Sunspot is... quieter. Moodier," he said uncomfortably. He didn't want to speak ill of his family members, but he thought he should say something. "Did you notice anything off about Murdock? When I asked her about him - I think something happened between them."

What had happened? Only those two could truly know.