I hummed while I raised the flap, intent on sitting behind my desk for a while and writing for the fun of it. Maybe today I would spend even more time doing that. I stopped myself right after I entered, however, as I suddenly remembered what was still the most exciting thing of the day; the young male, presumably still resting in the tent practically next door to mine. He would be thirsty, wouldn’t he? And probably quite hungry - Stars. How could I forget such an important thing?! My jubilation didn’t quite fade as I moved over to the desk and frantically sought pen and paper, but I did feel somewhat foolish. 'What a terrible host you are' I chided myself. Finding the necessary writing implements, I sat down to prepare a list of things to have on hand for him while he settled in. Bagged or bottled water, first of all. F

We hauled the unconscious Tando out of the wreckage, almost every Packmember looking to have some part in the process. I mostly sat by and watched. Surry and Rufias refused to leave my side for even a moment, as I resigned myself to the same nanny-ing for the rest of the day, and probably for the next few. Surry’s jaw was tight while she gently poked and massaged around my throat, drawing the occasion wince from me and an accompanying growl from Rufias. I wasn’t sure if he made them out of sympathy or as a warning to stay still - but either way, I was grateful to them for worrying over me, I honestly was. That didn’t stop me from slapping Surry’s hand away once or twice if she started to annoy me. “Hold still” she scolded me repeatedly. “This might still be worse than it looks. I have no way to tell what’s happening inside, yet. Hopefully it’ll just be swellin

~ My paws kneaded the snowy earth as I flew across it, fast as an arrow, keeping low and keeping silent. Tall grass enshrouded me, while the beaming sunlight warmed my back. To an onlooker it might appear that a brown blur hunted within this overgrown field, or what little they could be see between one moment and the next. But they would be right about the ‘hunted’ part. It was a clear day more than halfway through winter; birds chirped within earshot only to grow silent as I raced around. There was a reason I was here, now, and on the hunt - and while I zigzagged through the tall grass I drew ever closer to my purpose. I grinned in spite of myself, relishing the feel of my heartbeat, of the cooling perpetration along my snout. I wasn’t here alone. The scent of my prey danced in and out

“You’re going too fast. It’s alright; try to relax.” “Sorry. I’m still a bit nervous. Last time I couldn’t even reach…” “Take a deep breath, Rayla. I know you can make me feel something if you just keep trying.” I did as he asked and reached for him one more time. Cillium sat cross-legged on the floor of my room, eyes closed, breathing slowly. My hand laid upon his arm; he stirred slightly at my touch, which I took to be a good sign. “Now” he whispered, “summon up all your feelings and… just give it to me.” “Ugggh” I groaned, for no reason in particular. Just how hard did I have to concentrate to do this? I closed my eyes and thought back to the first moment we met - to the surprise I had felt

A light breeze flowed outward from the woods, chilling my face and the tips of my ears. I simply stared at the giant. “Killed your father?” I repeated, feeling odd. “Why? Who was your father?” But even as I said those words a little voice arose in my mind and replied 'I think you already know the answer'. I looked at him. I really looked. And there was no question about it: that form in itself was familiar enough, but there were other similarities as well. His face, specifically the shape of the cheekbones; the narrow tilt of his eyes; and even his overall posture and muscle mass, they all bore a striking resemblance… But that was impossible. Tando HAD no other son than Julius, and though I certainly never put it past him to betray his mate and sleep around with different women (his advances toward me were partic