Tithe

The scent and sound of an approaching wolf was enough to slow Tithe’s solitary run. Iron eyes looked in the direction his pack mate was coming from and he stopped his run. At once his tail lifted, not in dominance, but in a single friendly and welcoming wag. She approached as instinct dictated. It was new to him, being considered the leader and one to be followed. Blinking in surprise his body froze. The habitual shields covered his features and obscured his eyes. But as she ran he could feel his real desire take control over his body. To run as they were meant to. Feel the earth under their paws, to know that this world was theirs.

Slowly, his body relaxed as his mind stepped forward into this new role and realm of living. Spine bent in a sudden play bow, he woofed, and loped down the trail. It was freeing to be able to run side by side with his packmate. To travel the trails with someone who had, though hesitantly, accepted his leadership. His paws picked up to a steady run. Their pace was one where creatures of endurance could maintain for miles. He led them through the spruce trails, following some of his favorite paths. They led to shallow streams that chilled their paws if they splashed through instead of jumping over. Soft dirt trails twisted to clumps of leafy brushes, stubbornly alight with fall colors amongst the evergreens that otherwise thrived on the mountainsides.

He led them to a clearing. Beneath their paws the grass was still a shade of green, though slowly starting to die. All around them the peaks of the mountains cast shadows, their faces staring down at them. The clearing was still soft, and bright, situated so the sun still shines through the range for most of the day. In the clearing Tithe slowed and lowered his head to her. He respected her as another pack member and hung back to give her the chance to lead them on a chase down any of the number of trails that led to and from the clearing.