Heeding his matron’s request to keep watch over the mothers to be of Spirane, Sleekwing had chosen this day to protect MoonGlow from the shadows of the trees. He cared deeply for his mother, as any good son would. However, he could not go so far as to say that he could rival Swallowbane’s devotion to her. His brother had always been there for their mother in ways that Sleekwing had not. He could not quite find words to describe it, but his fidelity to their mother was unique. Nevertheless, today – while Swallowbane was off caring for the other half of his heart, Calista – Sleekwing had taken up the duty of guarding MoonGlow. He was unsure if MoonGlow was aware of his presence in the trees, but as he thought on the matter he smiled – of course she knew he was here, she knew so many things before any other should even think to know such things. She was mystical that way, a shamaness.

With fall upon them, he was careful to avoid the dry leaves that littered the ground as his ashen bodice moved through the trees. The heather markings that adorned his sides moved with each step he took, giving the wing like patches motion that nearly made him appear to fly across the ground at a jog. When MoonGlow halted, so too did he. Following her line of vision, he noticed the goat off in the distance. She then called to the sky, summoning their family to join her in the hunt. Licking his lips, Sleekwing remained where he was for the moment, allowing Ceal, Alcide, and Swallowbane to join her before he emerged from the trees and quietly greeted his family with a soft whine of excitement. His tail wagged happily, and he moved between his siblings. He bumped shoulders with Swallowbane and then laid down next to Ceal, glancing up at mother and father.

It seemed unfortunate that Orca was not there with them to join in the hunt. It had been so long since they had truly run as a family, and they would be unable to do so unless their sister sought them out to do so. She ran with the gypsies now, which only seemed fitting for her capricious personality and wandering tendencies.

The only wolf left to join their party was Calista – Swallowbane’s mate and imprint. Sleekwing felt a tender jealousy towards his brother at his luck in finding not only someone he felt he could take as a lifemate, but also that he had discovered the unbreakable bond which tied their parents together. Imprinting seemed such a fantastical thing to Sleek, and also something that was beyond his reach. Perhaps he would never have the good fortune to find the wolf who held the piece that would complete his soul. But that future did not doom him to a life of loneliness; the gray wolf was a kind and upright fellow, and certainly he would find a wolf to share his life with. Smiling at his family, his tail wagged through the leaves, stirring them slightly at his happiness at being in such good company.