Firestone Hot Springs Memories Fade

His friend seemed understandably puzzled by the lack of a name for the littlest, so Peregrine explained, "It's tradition in Fox's family to name the pups when they're a few weeks' old. We decided to divide the litter when it came to that, with me naming one half what and when I saw fit and her getting the other... half." He paused awkwardly at the end. The litter had been split evenly at first, then they'd lost "Derp." Well, if Blue Willow inquired, he would just tell her that Fox had been generous, allowing him naming rights to two and taking only one for herself.

Hearing Blue Willow speak fondly of Saena made Peregrine's heart happy. He listened intently, letting her finish before he replied, "I'm glad you're mentoring her. You'll be just the mellow influence she needs." He offered the svelte black she-wolf a friendly nudge. "My mother, Mo, was a young leader. She said that many wolves were dubious. But she prevailed, as I'm sure Saena will. They share blood." Saena was, of course, March Owl's great granddaughter.

"I'm glad too," he continued after a pause, "and it's nice to hear that she might not hate me as much these days. I'm pretty tickled that she's aiming to lead her birth pack instead of striking out on her own. I heard about her new surname. It's great that her birthplace and its legacy means so much to her." Peregrine paused. "And no offense to Dante—we've since made our amends—but I feel Saena deserves the throne more than he does. She's the progeny of Hawkeye, the pack's original founder, and myself, the longtime king." That counted for something. He knew, she knew it and hopefully Dante and the rest of the pack would recognize it as well.

But they needn't get into politics, not when there was so much personal stuff on which to catch up. Peregrine went for a smooth segue as he asked, "Tell me, what do Saena and Pura make of the puppies, now that they're no longer pups themselves?"