The pack meeting would wait, and so whilst he had been waiting for his pack members, he had taken the few members of his family who had arrived, along with Zawyne, for a little trip. So long had it been since they had all been together that too many things had changed. When had Vladimir had a second litter, for example? Aindreas had been happy for his half-brother and his mate when they had had their first, albeit worried. Seraphina was a thin lass of a wolf, and the birthing process was dangerous even for full sizes, healthy wolves. But she had passed through it like a champ… and the three pups had been healthy as could be. But when had they passed from pup to teen? How had Aindreas missed that Vladimir and Seraphina had procreated again, proving to be more virile than Aindreas ever was… And so Aindreas had taken with him his half brother Vladimir, and Vladimir’s daughter Qiturah despite the little princess’ complaints. And, at their side, Zawyne, the sunrise painted Arcus Irae traveled as well. After all, Vladimir had said that he wanted to discuss his official wedding ceremony to Seraphina. Where better than away from the pack territory? Where better than away from prying ears? Still, Aindreas assumed that others would come upon them, and he would not disappoint them. So, he trotted away from Dierne Hrof and toward the most beautiful face he could think of – the cascades. It was his father Kalgalath’s favorite place in all of Blossom Forest, and though with the magical changes most things had become completely different, Aindreas had still managed to find it. The falls were not where they had been, but by travelling the entire trek of the river, he had come upon it, just north east of Dierne Hrof.

In silence, the wolves travelled together until they came upon the cascades at last, and Aindreas stepped back and to the side to allow the beauty of the sight to the others. The water had completely frozen, but in roves, in waves, as if time itself had frozen. Aindreas smiled silently as Vladimir started laughing. “Aindreas… is this… dad talked about it all the time when I was younger! I did not think that it survived the transformation! How did you…” Vladimir laughed again and then shook his head, grinning from ear to ear. “This will be perfect… absolutely perfect for the wedding! I am… by Fenris I am so thankful. It will mean so much to me to have it here…” Vladimir turned to Zawyne. “Zawyne, back home… your home I mean… did any of you wed? I mean with a ceremony and everything? It is very important to Seraphina and I would like your help and the help of any of the other Arcus Irae to help plan it and decorate it.” Zawyne smiled and nodded as she thought about how it could all be don’t.

‘For it to be done properly, it will take some time. When were you hoping to have it done.’ Zawyne looked to him, but her gaze fell instead onto Qiturah. ‘Qi, what’s wrong? Don’t you want your mother and father to get married?’

Qiturah shrugged and avoided eye contact with her father, with Zawyne… really she just stared at the frozen water, feeling just as stuck in her position as it was.

“I am hoping for spring time – new beginnings and all. As for Qiturah, she is upset she is a Tempest, she wants more freedom.” Qiturah whipped her head around to glare at her father before pouting, saying nothing.

‘Aw Qi, you have all the free will you want, all you could need. Just because the gods made you into what you are, they do not designate who you are. You will see as time goes on… you can find your own path in life, you just may need to look… harder.’ Aindreas smiled… all of this talk of love and happily ever afters had him thinking of his own soul mate… whom he had barely gotten to know. He need to protect her, but how could he ever explain their bond to her?

Suddenly, the sound of a twig breaking caused all four wolves to turn around. Vladimir stepped forward. “Who is there?”

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