Elowen could not have been more proud this autumn. Maddox had attained his most desired rank, Berke was on his way to becoming a healer, Dessa was always off on an adventure, and her two youngest were out of the den – for the most part – trying to find their niche in Diveen. The soft-spoken wolfess could never have imagined having such a boisterous brood, but she would never in a million years trade her life for anything.

She found that she now had less time with Maddox due to his new pack duties. Although it was for the good of their friends and family, Elowen couldn’t help but feel somewhat put out that she hadn’t had much alone time with her mate in quite some time.

Thinking that perhaps a day of leisure would suit them both, she rose with the sun and pressed her nose playfully into Maddox’s thick ruff. Snuffling into his ear, she whispered, ”Come, my love, let’s take advantage of one of the last warm days.” In a surge of energy, she leapt over him and out of their den, scattering many fallen leaves on her way. With a smile, she thought of how her eldest son loved the fall foliage and chasing the dried leaves around.

Elowen knew just where they should go: the fields where they had met so long ago. It astounded her how quickly the seasons had flown, and yet here they were with two litters, and their oldest children were nearly adults themselves. As she raced toward the lake and braced her haunches to jump in, she felt as if only days had passed since their first encounter, and that was how she wished to spend the day: as if it was only the two of them once again.