Redhawk Caldera Take a drive on cruise control

Maia could tell that there was a good chance Sylvie wouldn’t make it through the story without falling asleep, so she’d made a good choice.  Sometimes Maia liked to embellish her stories to make them seem more adventurous in hindsight, but the ones about Eljay and her she usually kept accurate. She wanted her kids to have the honest history to share with the family in years to come.

A long time ago, your daddy was married to another wolf, and your aunt Wraen and I were a part of their pack. Her name was Wildfire, and she was as beautiful and as powerful as her namesake. She’s the reason why you have your big sister Weejay. They’d never met her, but Maia and Eljay always spoke of her. She never stopped hoping that someday they would.

She got sick, and after she died, your daddy was sad for a long time. Losing someone you love never gets easy, and we always miss them, even now. But Wraen and I always looked for ways to cheer him up. We were all good friends, and we wanted him to know we were there for him too. Elfie, his son (and your brother too), wound up leaving the pack. I never met him, but I think he needed to find something new after everything. I like to think he found it out there somewhere.

The story was a sad one so far, but Maia kept her voice soft and upbeat, knowing that it would proceed into happier territory. It had a happy ending, of course! And it was important for her that her kids understand the worst things that happened could sometimes lead to the biggest joys. No part of her was glad that Wildfire died, but no part of her would trade having Eljay in her life for anything. A future where Wildfire lived, and Eljay remained happily mated to her, was a future for a different Maia who she would never have recognized. She was sure she would still have been happy; she just wouldn’t be herself.

Eljay knew I was a traveler and a scout, so he asked me to go looking for Elfie. I knew he hated to travel alone, but I thought maybe he could use a chance to get away for a while. So I asked if he wanted to come along. I never expected him to say yes! But he did. Her eyes shone remembering it. She’d been so proud of him at the time! Even though he still rarely left now, it was amazing to see how much he’d grown in so many other ways.

We traveled to all of the nearby packs. I got lost a couple times, but your dad was so patient, and he never minded taking the scenic route. We didn’t find Elfie, but the packs we stayed with promised they would look, and we exchanged stories and shared food with them when we stayed. I think Eljay was surprised at how friendly strangers could be! But I’ve learned that a good story, and an open heart, can bring almost anyone together.

It wasn’t long after that when your aunt Wraen and I left to go travel more. Your daddy stayed with his family, but we never forgot each other. Someday I can tell you the story of how we met again. But that’s not a story for a day like today.

Maia wrapped up there, kissing her daughter’s forehead again and settling in beside her. If Sylvie was still awake she would answer any questions that her daughter asked… otherwise she would just enjoy the closeness, listening to her peaceful breathing and reveling in just how lucky she was.

this is soooooo overdueeeee. This can be a fade/my last post if you like!