Stone Circle Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?

For a moment, he hadn't been sure of his welcome. But her voice erases any doubt, and as soon as she speaks, he lunges forward with a happy yip back, "Tauris!"

Where have you been? What adventures have you had? Did you miss me?

The smell of her tells him some. Half a picture, or less than that -- because it's her voice that will really bring the stories to life, and he can't wait to ask her.

Her excitement elevates his own, and he nips back, tail a furious flying thing between leaps and ducks and spins and rolls. When she pauses, he bows. When she leaps, he answers. A bark, half a howl, wrenches free of him. It bugles the joy he feels no reason to disguise, and for a moment all his loneliness vanishes like dew in the sun.

It's the excitement that causes him to overlook it, at first. Something different in her scent - and not just the tapestry of packmates across her fur which informs him she's settled down. But the change digs around in the back of his mind, until recognition peeks out into the open.

She didn't spend her last heat alone. He's almost certain of it. There's a confusing twist of emotion in his belly at the thought. It breaks him out of their game long enough to become apparent, though the smile doesn't drop from across his pant. There's no reason not to smile, right...?

Cocking his head, Louis looks over her again, more intently, and wonders which stranger on her pelt she might have chosen to lay with. If she wanted it. And if the leaders of her new home know. And if they'll allow it. If anything comes of it at all...

But those aren't questions even he is bold enough to ask, especially because a rebellious (or perhaps wisened) bit of him holds onto doubt and the possibility of being wrong. Instead he chooses a different track, "You look well." Not as scrawny as their first days together. Not as lonely.

He's happy for her.