selenophile (n.) || a person who loves the moon

darted across the pathway and young wolves were instantly in pursuit.

She paused, listening to their paws rustling through the forest floor, and then a short, quiet howl of victory sauntered into the morning air. The temperature was slowly growing warmer on the mountainside and the snow began its decrease. With the spring season, the wildlife came back to life and patches of brown earth could be seen more often underneath the heavy snow.

The last snow storm that had rolled through barely lasted as most of it turned into sleet and rain. She always admired the winter's stubborn determination to conquer the world but it could never win against the coming warm months. It was a few minutes before Skeet emerged first from the forest and she smiled. The other wolves followed, licking their jaws, and Thane particularly licked her hands until she held them up with a laugh.

This would be the fifth time this month that she had taken them out to hunt and she felt fairly certain that they could handle foraging for their own food eventually. It was their instinct, after all. Their mother would nurse them through the early stages of life and once they got their paws under them, they naturally took to fending for themselves.

She just wasn't sure that she was ready to let them go on their own yet. She almost missed their puppy days where she could pick them up and cuddle them. They were maturing into young wolves, still a bit slim and gangly, but on their way to adulthood nonetheless.

She spotted a grey mushroom settled by a tree stump and she hurried over. Cross paused to listen a few paces ahead on the path and then he glanced back in annoyance. Lake frolicked around them, completing his eighteenth circle around them. He had endless amounts of energy, almost like he had ADHD and couldn't sit still for more than five minutes.

Skeet was always close to her side and he watched in curiosity as she bent down to examine the mushroom. Ever sniffed around the tree, glancing upwards as if in search of a squirrel, and she sputtered in surprise when Thane's nose popped up in her face, dragging his tongue across her face.

"Oh..Thane!" She whined, landing on her bum as she tripped backwards, "You just freaking ate, don't give me kisses! Ew, stop it!" She tried to fend him off with her hands but he was an immobile boulder and he continued to attack her until every inch of her face was sticky with saliva.

Finally, Thane gave her a wolfish grin and sat back on his haunches. She sat up and scowled.

"That's gross," She attempted to wipe her face with her sleeve, "I told you not to do that, and you never listen," She huffed and stood to her feet, "Now, look. My mushroom is ruined, some of those are good for storing, you know?"

Thane glanced down at the mushroom trampled beneath his paws, tilted his head, and simply looked back up at her with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. She rolled her eyes.

"Alright, come on. We gotta get heading back, my Dad will be home soon." Skeet perked up and fell into step with her as she turned back towards home. A few birds who braved the chilly nights sung sweet tunes above their heads and she sighed happily. She loved the forest as much as her wolves. When she was with them, she didn't have to be afraid of what lurked within, because she was friends with six of the very predators that ruled the mountain.

Cross walked ahead of them and Ever playfully snuck up behind him. She watched in amusement as Ever wiggled his tail a little and then he launched forward onto Cross' back. The grumpy sibling growled and bucked him off but Ever didn't give up. Soon, the two of them tussled across the path, nipping and growling in their play.

She steered clear of them, Skeet prancing at her side, and when they drew far enough away Ever made a run for it towards them. She never underestimated Cross as he swiftly caught his brother before he could make it very far and then Arch joined the excitement. Two against one, Cross still held out. Thane glanced back and made a huffing noise while Lake seemed entirely interested in the nature around them, ignoring the brawl happening.

When she finally made it back to her house, her wolves settling for a nap in the barn, she was covered in dirt and her clothes were damp from the snow. She went upstairs to take a shower and when she emerged from the bathroom she heard the front door open and close. Perfect timing, she thought.

She changed into fresh clothes and skipped down the stairs where her father greeted her with a hug, "Hi, Dad!"

"Hey, snow bunny," He kissed her temple, "How are you holding out?"

"Pretty great," She grinned, "Ready for this afternoon?"

He returned her grin, "You bet. We'll head over to Esther's in a few minutes, let me grab a cup of coffee, okay?"

She nodded and followed him into the kitchen. True to his word, they left the house about ten minutes later and piled into the old pick up. She hummed softly as the engine sputtered and then they were moving down the driveway. She watched the landscape with keen eyes and before she knew it, they pulled into Esther's driveway.

The house was a cozy one, she always thought, nestled beneath a few older pines and boasting a fresh layer of soft blue paint from last summer. She smiled at her father and they got out to knock on the front door. Esther answered the door with a red and white plaid apron on.

"Hey, its my two favorite people!" Esther greeted with a smile, hugging them both, "Come on in, I'm almost done making the stew. I figured a late afternoon lunch is just as good as an early evening dinner, right?"

"Right." Her father grinned as they shrugged off their coats. They followed Esther into her kitchen, the wonderful aroma of delicious food wafting through the entire house. They chatted and helped where Esther would let them. She started the set the table and then Esther carried steaming pots of food to set on the dining table.

They lost all comprehension of outside world as they indulged themselves in varying conversations, even long after the food was finished. She enjoyed watching her father's eyes glow with warmth when he gazed at Esther and Esther's cheeks blossom a bright red when she caught his gaze. It was beautiful love.

"So, Mikica," Esther smiled, switching the attention to her, "Do you have any thoughts for work this summer?"

She shrugged, "I mean, I haven't really thought about it that much. But, I suppose a job would be good. I'm just about done with my schooling."

"You could start filling out applications in town," Her father said, nodding, then looked at Esther, "Do you need any help at Topped Off?"

Esther nodded, "I actually do. I anticipate the summer months to be busier. What do you say, Mikica? Want to come work for this old lady?"

"You aren't old, you are awesome!" She laughed, "Nobody else I know is as energetic as you."

"I'll take it as a compliment." Esther winked, "You still have to try my newest pastries, I've heard that they are little pieces of heaven."

"Sounds delicious," She grinned.

They slowly began to clean up and her father helped Esther wash the dishes in the kitchen. She dried the dishes and deposited them into their cabinets. Soon, night had fallen upon the world outside and she went to the front door to gather her coat.

"It was a wonderful afternoon," Her father said to Esther, "We had a lot of fun. Thank you."

"Its my pleasure," Esther smiled shyly, "What do you say to a move night sometime?"

"I'd love it," Her father returned her smile.

She took that as her cue to leave as the two of them gazed into each others eyes. She quietly slipped out the door into the night air and took a deep breath. It was beautiful out and she felt a little breathless taking in the landscape.

A full moon was rising in the distance, just cresting the eastern mountain, and its glimmer danced across the forest, illuminating milky shadows. A sea of stars glimmered just beyond, a brief streak stung the sky from a shooting star, and she couldn't help but think of her wolves.

This was their world. This was why they loved the moon so much and worshiped its beauty. Beneath its magical presence, they howled beautiful crescendos that they poured their hearts into and ran through the land that laid in serene peace as most animals slept. They ruled this world and she was ever breathless to its undying beauty.

She gently pulled open the pick up trucks passenger door and crawled into the seat. For some reason or another, the conversation over dinner sparked a realization in her as she silently pondered it. The moon only encouraged her. She knew that her wolves were getting old enough and soon they wouldn't need her anymore. Soon, she wouldn't be able to watch after them.

With rapid approach of summer, she hadn't really thought about what would become of her wolves. Naturally, she unconsciously assumed they would always be there. But, what if they weren't? They needed their freedom, the ability to make their own choices. She had made a promise when she found them. They couldn't live in her barn forever. She thought about their hunt earlier that day and smiled softly. It was time for them to make their own decision, and before the summer months arrived.

✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙

(Not edited)