Winter was slowly starting to leave the land, though a blanket of snow still covered the ground. With the warming temperatures coupled with the cold the snow had a crust that gave a satisfying crunch every time Taika stepped on it. Her constant smile seemed to flicker even brighter every time the sound crackled in her ears. Slowly but surely she had made her way to areas she knew she could find the best crunching noises. Walking along the riverside she peered down at the thinning ice, tapping on the air bubbles trapped close to the surface. When a few of them did not break easily she would pounce softly on them, her tail wagging high above her.

It was one of the few moments she had been able to slip away from her two vigilant protectors. One kept hold of her heart, the other stood guard over her soul, and her body apparently. The nights had been cold, and the bodies of her friends surrounded her, bringing her a comfort she never thought she could have outside of a pack. Every night she curled close to Edrick, her eyes lit up and her heart beat just a little faster. Guiltily she greedily clung to that feeling, basking in the warmth it gave her. Her heart still broke with the loss of Neverland, and she still lingered on the cusp of uncertainty when she slept beside Edrick, occasionally wondering if it was Neverland he wished was beside him instead of her. It was not as if she could really get so close anyway. In place of their white friend, Los had kept a close watch over her and Edrick, clearly not trusting the other male’s proximity whether it was emotional or physical. Between her own guilt, her fear about Edrick’s true desires, and Los’ ever watching garnet eyes Taika had not had a moment alone with the man she had fallen for, even less time (if that was possible) alone.

With a heavy sigh she had slipped away in the early morning hours. Sure that one, if not both, men in her life would pick up on her movements she tried to tread softly and steal away an hour or two before the sun rose. Enjoying the feeling she spent the time playing with bubbles, freeing the air from its icy encasing. Usually one to love the company of others, it was nice to have the couple of moments that was just her and the world. Smile still glittering on her face she turned to the east just as the light started to break over the horizon. The light played across the reflective snow just as it dances in the clouds. It created a blindingly colorful and stunning sunrise. The gypsy girl took a deep breath of the cool crisp air and let it fill her being with the magical beauty she saw everywhere in the world. It was a morning like this wolves like her were made for.