Phoenix Maplewood the old wolf remembers

The lady offered a genuine smile, for there was a simple poetry to what Reek said. "Phoenix Maplewood... but you can call it home." It warmed the cockles of her heart sure enough, but she was no sentimentalist and so did not dwell on it. Suffice to say, she could not escape how positive she felt about settling on a retirement pack at long last, though it had felt much longer to Boris and Firtha. To young people, a months-long trek through the Winter felt like an infinity. But old people moved slow. Shreya had taken all the time she'd needed to find what she'd been looking for — and all her steadiness and pickiness had paid off.

Puppies on the way, eh? She hadn't been a breeding wolf for years, so other pairs at Oak Streams had permission to expand their families, and they'd done so, in little batches, year after year. None of them were of her blood, though. This would be very interesting and refreshing. I'd love that too, she confirmed with a nod, honest as ever.

Mind if I have a few minutes alone with these two before I send them on their way?