Ghost in the Winds

It seemed that his companion had been waiting only for the invitation to do so before he unloaded the deep-seeded pain he'd been holding inside. Summer was a bit surprised, but not at all judgmental at the stories Ghost weaved for him. It seemed there was more to trouble the poor elder than just the death of his mate and cubs. Trouble had been stalking his footsteps for a long, long time.

He pondered Ghost's words for a moment before he noticed the tears upon the old wolf's face. There was little he could say on the death of his parents that would ease the hurt, so instead, he simply leaned forward to nose away the salty tracks upon his tawny cheek, then gave him a comforting smile. "Birchwind," he said softly, "You should consider changing it back as an honor to your parents and to all others who loved you as such. I'm sure they would see you live well in the way that they knew you, rather than see you spend your life watching their ghosts as it slips away from you."

Summer knew that was how Dhani and Mom would have wanted for him. Surely Birchwind's family would have felt the same.