Wild Berry Meadow sweet surrender

Valiant came along as well, looking in on the kids and saying hello before giving them time to say goodbye. They weren't going far, but Angel in particular seemed keen on saying an emotional farewell, and wishing her mother good luck. He didn't quite want to hear that, so he went and fetched a spare skin so that they could bring berries home for the kids.

At the borders, he gave a low howl announcing their departure, so that the rest of the pack might know as well where they had gone, when to expect them back.

Then the pair set off, the heat of the autumn sun warming their backs as it climbed into the sky.

*

Valiant was panting happily when they slowed. He pulled the skin off of his back and threw it down in a particular spot, saying, "I think it was riiiiight here."

Where they'd met — two years ago, now. A good percentage of a wolf's life.

"You laughed at me," he accused, but laughter was dancing in his rose gold eyes.