Wolf-Shifter

Dancing among the Stars

Last Chapter

5 years later…

The Lupine's Alpha, Rakab; tucked the black, silk scarf away in a small chest and flicked out a knife, examining it. How pleasant it would be to plunge this blade into his heart now, and never have to face the years that were to come. He then thought to himself, "Can a heart still break, once it's stopped beating?"

Had Namid forgotten him in death, while he remembered her in life? Or had she abandoned all thoughts of the past while he lingered in the present?

A commanding voice brought him from his thoughts, "Rakab, get out here this instant!"

"Sine, Branwyn. Just leave me alone. " he called back, rubbing the back of his neck with a hand, as he felt the slight stubble on his cheeks as his hand touched his cheek.

The stubborn raven entered the tent, took his arm and dragged him out, "I'd love to sympathize with you, but this time you've pushed my limits." She pushed her black hair out of her face and sighed heavily.

"How have I?"

"You've been ignoring the Lupine as their Alpha. And you've ignored us…" She replied, picking up a boy with black hair and Branwyn's same ebony eyes, yet with the sharp features of a crow. Rakab smiled at the child, "Have you been tormenting your mother, boy?" he asked in a mock-stern tone and the child buried his face into his mother's shoulder. Branwyn had chosen Yrel as her pair bond two years ago, and soon their son, Naosis, had been born. "Where are Ginger and Elita?" the Alpha asked, "Aren't they practicing for the performance tonight?"

"Ginger's in the Den with Elita," The raven then smirked, ebony eyes sparkling, "Alida's over there with Ivor."

Rak saw the timid sparrow, "With Sheila and Nahun?"

Branwyn nodded.

A jaguar-boa shifter, Nahunaga, or, Nahun as many called him, was Sheila and Senka's son and often a troublemaker, with his friends. Bialas sat talking with a young wolf, discussing the weather. Nearby, sat Alida quietly working on her needlework, while a young wolf, Ivor, flirted with her.

Ginger and Elita practiced with the Shadowed Den dancers in their cave nearby. Senka and Yrel helped bring in the mornings catch, and talked about how lucky they had been with trapping the deer with some of the other men. Princess Rose sat with Nyesh, her six months of pregnancy showing through the loose cotton shirt she wore.

Branwyn was soon ushered into the Den by Elita, and Rakab stood alone with Naosis, gazing at the peace and excitement that surrounded him.

Everyone had adjusted well to the Lupine way of life, and he was almost disappointed that they did, for this peace brought back painful memories of what went before. As he set his charge down, he watched as the young raven-crow boy ran off, cawing in glee as Nahun growled playfully at him, suggesting a challenge.

An old memory played before his eyes as the activity around him seemed to fade away. The sun shone bright and a girl, Namid, in a slightly dirty cream dress danced along the grass, the ghost of her childhood-self looking carefree as he had watched from the bushes, so long ago.

He saw her grin as the sun shone on her sleek silver fur and shafts of sunlight, poking through the trees, warming her face as she lifted her head and let out a musical howl, the commanding, free song of the wolf escaping her throat. She yipped and spun, arms spread out like wings as she brought her arms outstretched as if to hug the golden sunlight.

He saw her leap and cartwheel, laughing and spinning as her heart sped adrenaline through her joints. He heard her laugh again and saw her flop down on the grass, panting, heart racing. Lying on her back, her face turned to the wisps of clouds and the pale blue of the sky, she sighed and closed green-silver eyes enjoying the quiet.