Eyes in the Mist

Aurielle padded through the moorlands, mist swirling about her legs and belly. She padded along the outside of the wall, practicing as ever her silent movement. Her father had said that it came naturally to her, and it reminded him of how Erani had slipped so silently around, often startling him and his sisters with her sudden apparitions around them when they thought they were alone.

But as good as Aurielle was now, she knew she could always get better, so she continued to practice the manner of picking and choosing her paw placement. Eventually, it would be such an instinctual thing she wouldn’t have to think about it at all.

She paused to sniff at a scent marker—Gwen’s. Her Right Wing was far more focused on the Moor. Understandable—Gwen had children and a den here. There were traces, old and new, of Brandr, as well as children, both Gwen’s and his. It was good that they had the chance to interact with pups other than their own littermates. She hadn’t had the luxury, herself. Or even her own littermate for much longer than she cared to consider.

Even now, it felt as though her mother and brother were distant. They still had so much healing to do, even though the physical injuries and malnourishment were being addressed and were healed for the most part. While she savored the closure that they were safe and home, she wished they would interact with the pack more and venture from the den.