I knows she is close. My very soul knows- so much so that I am jolted from my rest within the confines of my den, chocolate coloured form unfurling itself as my gold touched limbs and features peer into the darkness that surrounds the fields. It is a pleasant night, the night alive with insects that sing a song all their own, covering the expanse of the field as it sweeps into the darkness in all directions. I had been born to the mountains and indeed a part of myself will forever adore those high peaks and rocky cliffs- yet, even if Asteraia, perhaps, was not the land I had sought to find in my dreams I had discovered within it an utter adoration for open plains and fields, flat wide land in which I could run for miles in any direction and extend my limbs to their fullest potential. I had found within Asteraia a freedom from claustrophobia, a love of wind and rain and sun so exposed and like my grandfather before me, a wolf whom I have never met though seemed forever destined to follow behind in at least some regards- there existed within me a loyalty truly potent for the home I call my own. I am content with Tick Tock as my leader. She has shown me only kindness and Tobias in turn has proven only his use as a protector and I cannot fault these things, for they had risen where Mistress Jaidah had failed and that….is simply life. I do not think less of my first Alphess though, perhaps she will return one day and I in turn will surely offer my services to her as well. Yet- it is to this land my loyalty will true remain. To the field itself- just as Indus before me had stood within Trenus until his forced removal. Loyalty runs deeply, it would seem, in the blood of Pan and Niviaq.

My long earthen limbs extend now, carrying my golden touched form rapidly across the fields and towards the very being my soul seems to extend towards. I had not seen her in a little while, though I had thought about her often. I even dreamed about her some nights and I knew, I just knew she was safe and happy and I suppose for that reason I tried not to find her. We had agreed to wait after all, at least, to let each of us find our own lives if we should choose and except each others friendship as if that might be all we would ever be- even though I did promise, sort of, to make her my mate one day if no one else came along. It was only right after all and maybe I hadn’ believed in imprints then- but I do now. I know. I know more then I know anything else that she is the sun my world rotates around. I felt her all the time, as if I felt her very heartbeat quicken even now as my own did. The sight of her however- saw my form stumble to a halt. She had….grown.

We had both been younger when we had met, she barely a puppy and me, well, I just had a lot of legs. I was four years old now though- fully grown, my legs still long for my body (I was always going to be kinda scruffy, I’ve accepted it) but I had reached my full height of a not-so-tall thirty inches and I knew, even from here, even from just looking at her that she was going to be taller then me. I would always be heavier I think, my muscle hard, though lean still but she, Embla….was going to be taller then me. I don’t think any boy ever does want to be shorter then his partner, then again I suppose I can move on.

“Embla!”

I called her name, letting her know where I was and that I was coming, chocolate tail waving as I loped forward again, speed, after all- always would be my greatest skill. Her grey and cinnamon touched form came only closer and closer as I approached, paws pausing a short distance from her now, a moment of uncertainty touching my features. She was at least two years old now, half grown and more….well, she looked more like a girl now then she had as a child and I liked that. Should I run to her? Say hello? Offer my muzzle? I shook my head, deciding against all of them and choosing just instead to barrel forward and into her, wrapping my form around her own as if we were long lost friends- and maybe we are in a way, my form holding her close, soothing my soul with every moment before I pulled back- that ever boyish grin still on my features.

“I missed you.”