In the late days of winter, Rhaegal had brought news to me of a young shewolf who hailed from Iromar wishing to spend some time in Spirane. It seemed as though Moladion had come to feel comfortable once more with my return to power - some of the gypsies had come to take refuge within the shadow of the mountain for the winter, with intent to put on a performance piece in the spring as thanks for our hospitality. Then the child of an alpha sought to further her training by residing with them at least through to spring. As it were, she would host the fourth annual birthday party for two year olds - a tradition started by my first litter. It was hard to believe three years had passed since they had first hosted the first event of which they had never fathomed would become an anticipated yearly event. Five years old, FIVE! I could hardly believe how fast time had passed, how quickly they'd grown. In a year's time my youngest girls would broach adulthood. It made me feel old, and yet my step was still spry and I felt as young as ever. Secretly I had hoped that my womb would stir with life again this year, but it was not to be. Perhaps next winter...

As it were, the events of the past two years had perhaps discouraged mothers from trusting the mountain to be a stable home for raising children. Thus, none of the attendees of Aster's party were to be of Spirane roots. Rhaegal had organized for the party to take place low within the foothills, in a place where Sorcha had once told many a tale in events that were open to all youth of Moladion. It was a safe place, and an open one so that it would not be so easy for guests to slip away and infiltrate the pack unnoticed. Even at only two years of age there were many with bright and determined minds - Aster and the previous hosts of this event were evidence enough of that. Still, I chose to settle on a ridge just above and to the north of the creekside clearing. From here I could watch the goings on of the gathering below, and yet I was situated enough out of site that the youngsters would not feel as though they were being supervised. Yet this was my responsibility - with so many due to arrive, pack and lone wolves alike, I needed to keep an eye on the situation.

Presently I laid upon the wide, rocky outcropping that looked down upon the slowly growing group. A light rain had begun to fall, but the overhanging foliage mostly sheltered me from it. Still, dampness clung to my fur, creating a defined look to my shedding coat that more easily revealed the stark and stunning black undercoat that so many often overlooked. Mahogany eyes looked down upon the scene as the first guests arrived, and I soft smile played across my lips, content to know that the youth of Moladion were building upon their future within the foothills of the mountains.