Dove lowered her neck over her daughter's face and rubbed her chin against her neck and shoulders as she continued to sob. When she seemed to finally calm down a bit, she gingerly nudged her aside. "Walk with me, little one."

    Nevaeh hung her head as she followed. She sniffed heavily as she padded after hers other, feeling her legs shake and become weak from under her. Dove looked back to make sure that her daughter was following before she started to speak. "Do you remember what I told you about leaving without me?"

    "Yes," Nevaeh croaked.

    Dove tried to keep the anger from her voice that stemmed from fear. "Then why did you do it," she questioned firmly.

    Nevaeh gulped as she shrugged. "I don't know. I-I just was curious and then I saw Drought and-"

    "Drought?" Dove tried to rack her brain to remember who that could be. Nevaeh didn't have that many friends beside Mena, since they hadn't been out that much. Realization seemed to dawn on her as she sighed. "Was he that lynx that you met?"

    Embarrassment seemed to rush over Nevaeh as she gave a tiny nod. "Yeah," she rasped.

    "Oh, Nevaeh. I thought I explained to you about predators. They're not your friends. They could flip on you in an instant," Dove pointed out with more harshness in her voice. Nevaeh flinched as she slowed her pace. "Do you understand how serious that could be?"

    Nevaeh nodded before she made a face and shook her head. "But, I was with Drought today and he was angry at me at first, and then his friend showed up. Then he protected me!'

    "Protected you," Dove repeated.

    Nevaeh nodded vigorously. "Yes! He really did. He put himself before Sliver and me and stood up for me. Sliver then jumped for him and he told me to run." Her voice broke as her head hung and she stayed still, her legs shaking in terror and heartbreak.

    Dove halted when she noticed that Nevaeh wasn't following. She sighed as she came back around and lowered her neck as she nuzzled her daughter's cheek affection. "Nevaeh, look at me."

    A tear slipped from Nevaeh's eye as she lifted her head to meet her mother's gaze. Seeing the hollow look in Nevaeh's gaze made Dove's heart seem to drop into her stomach. Dove's gaze softened as he dipped his head. "Oh, my little one. Things don't always make sense. There's a balance here in life."

    "Mama, why did Drought do that for me," she whispered hoarsely.

    Dove bowed her head and licked the tear from Nevaeh's eye. "I don't know. I need you to understand how dangerous it can be. You have to always be vigilant around here, alright? You have to be strong and trust your instincts. Do you think that you can do that?"

    Nevaeh shrugged. "I don't know."

    "It will take time. You will have to learn which creatures are ones you can trust and which ones aren't. You will learn where it is safe to go and where it isn't. You will learn everything that need in time," reassured Dove.

    Nevaeh lifted her head and shook a bit as she straightened. "How will I learn?"

    Dove snorted slightly in amusement as she butted her head playfully against Nevaeh's side, slightly skirting her forward. "That's my job is to teach you, protect you, and love you," Dove replied with warmth in her voice. "One day we will also be able to join the herd that that will provide safety as well."

    "When," Nevaeh asked excitedly, her hooves slightly pounding against the ground as excitement brimmed in her eyes.

    Dove couldn't help but flick her muzzle against Nevaeh's ear, causing her to giggle. "Soon. When you're ready and can also defend yourself. Until then, it's up to me to defend you, but you must listen to me. It makes it a lot easier," Dove replied with a wink.

    Nevaeh jumped in the air as the playfulness spread through her and caused Dove to relax. "I promise, Mama," she vowed, her tail flicking behind her.

    Dove bounded over to her and nudged her affectionately. "Come on. Let's put this behind us and see what we can find you to eat," she responded as she continued forward, expecting Nevaeh to follow.

    Nevaeh looked over her shoulder as if expecting Drought to be there. She blinked her eyes in forlorn and reluctantly padded forward, leaving the one who's she thought was her friend behind.