Blacktail Deer Plateau We will welcome summer's ghost

Blue Willow agreed, then began to count. At the right moment, he sprang forward in tandem with her and the pair of black wolves streaked across the plateau. Peregrine did his best to shorten his pace so that they remained together, side by side and stride for stride.

When they found their natural rhythm, he faced forward and let go of his thoughts. He enjoyed all the physical sensations of the run, from the cool, damp breeze on his face to the feeling of mud slinging across his legs and underbelly. He drank in the scent of o-zone left over from the storm and felt the tickling burn as his lungs rapidly expelled his breath. More than anything, he could feel the pounding of his heart, which matched the pounding of not only his paws but his friend's as well.

He could run like this for days. Peregrine glanced sideways and swore he saw tears streaming from his friend's eyes. Yet he didn't slow. He grinned at her, tongue lolling from his black muzzle, then tossed his head back and forth and gave a loud and booming bark.