Heron Lake Plateau [M] the red and the black

She had searched for him in the days following the standoff between their two packs, but Titmouse had never been one to stay in one place for long. That fact about him had larger implications than simply where he was at any given moment. Would he stay with the Redhawks? His track record for staying close to home was less than stellar, and while Raven wanted more than anything for him to settle down and find happiness here, part of her doubted that would actually happen.

Because Titmouse was the way he was, and there was little any of them could do about it. The young wolf yearned for something he'd never been able to find within the boundaries of his family. Perhaps he might have found it with the small band of friends he'd gathered here at the plateau before the Redhawks arrived. But they would never know now, would they?

Raven's thoughts were a mixture of good and bad, but an overarching sense of guilt colored almost all of them. She couldn't reconcile with the fact that they'd stolen this from him, no matter how many offers of acceptance Towhee extended to him. Perhaps the inconvenient cocktail of hormones running through her system were amplifying the emotions she felt, but there was no way to tell.

She lingered in the dark, sleepless, eyes searching the stars that spangled the velvet-black expanse overhead as she mulled over her jumbled thoughts. A quiet, somber voice came to her then, softly carried on the sounds of the night, and she knew who it was before her eyes ever picked out the dark shape moving toward her through the shadows. She remained where she sat and watched him approach, a fond smile painting her features. She was so glad to see him.