Moonspear it's the promise of life in your heart

They said one didn't grow out of grief but around it; he felt the all-too familiar pain in his chest at speaking of Bronco in the past tense, but it was a small hurt—a tiny pinprick in the wake of all the good memories. He gave the woman a smile and nod, listening to her tale.

Towhee's my grandmother, yes, Killdeer replied. She's still going strong—her daughter founded a pack just southwest of here, across the mountains, and now she and a granddaughter are running the place while Meerkat travels.

Did Bridget know Meerkat? he wondered. Surely they must have met somewhere along the line.

But I've got family even closer, too, he went on, his grin broadening. The kids are mine—or some of them, at least. Treepie and Tikaani are like little mini-mes, and I'm happy to treat the rest like my own regardless.

You'll have to teach me some stuff about medicine, Killer said, and chuckled wryly. I tried to learn a bit from my mom, but I think she was more into the plants than the healing part.