Blacktail Deer Plateau It's alive with the beating of young hearts

His heart beat rapidly in his chest, its rhythm urging him to keep running. With every fleet footfall, adrenaline pumped through Peregrine's veins and, for the first time in weeks, he felt the euphoria of the wild wolf, free to do as he pleased. He ignored the ache in his muscles and plunged ever onward across the breadth of his pack's territory, even allowing a clipped yip loose to announce his gladness to any nearby ears.

Suddenly, he found he wasn't running alone. Peregrine gave the she-wolf a sideways glance but her arrival did not hinder his momentum. Caught up in his frolicsome mood, the normally surly wolf barked at Xi'nuata, then veered toward her, bumping her lightly with his shoulder. The last time they'd met, she'd been an outsider but now she was part of his pack. In normal circumstances, he would've tolerated her presence but, presently, he openly welcomed it.

Snapping his jaws playfully at her cheek, he invited her to play, his tail rising high above his haunches and whirling with his positive energy. He slowed, though only slightly, and now there was a pronounced bounce to his step as he barked at her again, goading her.