The mountains were alive, more alive than they had been in many moons. The life that coursed through the veins that created Spirane exhilarated me. To know that I had helped to create such a viable, strong pack made me feel proud, though I knew without each and every one of them it would not be possible. I hoped they all knew how grateful I was for each of their presences.

I basked in the light of the moon; it had grown to nearly its full capacity, and it invigorated me with an energy I could not quell. And so I loped through my homeland, the moon at my back and every possibility for my future before me. There were days I felt hopelessly alone, wishing there was some way I could bring my parents back from the dead or silently will Leonidas to return to me. When I plummeted into these thralls of depression, I sometimes considered seeking out Meryl; but I could feel his happiness, and I did not want to ruin that for him. My sadness was not that great, and I was not so selfish as to ruin his joy.

As I ran along a ridge midway up the mountain, a sudden howl broke the air. I stopped where I was, lifting my head slightly and perking my ears towards the source of the call. It was not a summons for me; it was simply a song, a beautiful song called out to the heavens. But the wolf was close, and my curiosity was piqued.

I descended to the border at an easy pace, jogging down familiar trails until I had reached the point where my scent laid heavily along the fringe of our pack lands. I then picked up a fluid lope, my stride long and smooth. As I came closer to where I speculated the wolf to be, I slowed my pace. My nostrils flared and I picked up the scent of blood. Pupils dilated, searching for the source. It was not wolf’s blood, but someone had taken prey just beyond my borders.

Sudden movement off to my right and in front of me caused me to freeze midstep, and my eyes narrowed, focusing on the wolf’s form. His lightly hued frame stood out against the trees, illuminated by the moonlight. Time and again his head lowered and then rose, and I realized easily enough he was dining upon some carcass. I remained where I was, waiting for him to finish. When he had, he slowly returned to the borders, lowering his form into a sitting position to wait. I emerged around the slight knoll that had hidden me from his view. My tail was lifted dominantly and my ears were pressed forward intently.

“Hello, stranger.” I said as I approached him. My mahogany eyes washed over him, sizing him up. He was significantly smaller than me, but had still managed to take down a full grown deer on his own. I stood opposite him, inside the borders of Spirane, and quietly watched him, wondering what business he might have brought to my threshold as such an hour.