The sun peeked out from behind a stray cloud, bathing the earth in its warm glow. Sun bathing in the winter was no where near as satisfying as it was in the summer, but Moonshadow's inky pelt always drank the warmth of the rays no matter the season. The ebony woman was laying on a large rock that hung over the lakes edge. A spot she had been coming to since her arrival in the cove when she was but a yearling. It was a safe quiet place that allowed her to think and work through her emotions. Today's visit was no different than the ones of the past. She was home, overwhelmed with an array of emotions. Joy, happiness, gratefulness, sorrow, guilt, grief all swirled about her heart and mind. Knowing what would happen if she pushed the negative feelings down, Moon couldnt let that happen. She had learned long ago with @Kajika to face those emotions and deal with them. So her large bony frame lays atop the overhang while cool silver pools watch the landscape vacantly. With a long sigh Moon began to move from her perch. She had enough alone time for the day, it was time she spent time with her family.

Long dark limbs easily leapt off the boulder landing in a small patch of snow. Giving themselves a nice long stretch Moon's limbs felt refreshed with only a faint hint of an ache. She wouldn't have time to think about that as a short bark met her silver dusted audits. She turned to see her youngest son making his was towards her and a wide smile crossed her maw. "Hi baby" she affectionately called back, her banner wagging quickly behind her. He affectionately greeted her with a lick behind her ear which she returned with a nuzzle to his cheek. "I've missed ya hun."

Bright green eyes bore into the mother pulling at her heart. If they had not been surrounded by ebony fur like her own, Moonshadow would be convinced she was staring into her late husbands. Even though he was gone he would continue to live on through their children and in all of their hearts. Nash's response fueled her banner to sway behind her however, his innocently intended question cut her deep. "Of course my love. My days of searchin' are over. I'm here to stay, always" she smiled warmly hoping he would take comfort in her words. She had spent so much time searching for her family that she almost completely abandoned the family she did have. Moon has gotten to the point that those who are meant to be there will be. This homecoming and finding her sons solidified this for the onyx woman.

"How have ya been dear?" She asked her youngest son wanting to be there for him if he ever wanted to talk. He wasnt much older than she had been when she was separated from her birth pack. So she knew how difficult it could be on your own at such a young age. But he was here and didnt seem to have any lasting damages from the experience...physical ones at least.

Large dark haunches lowered until they sat upon the frozen earth. They just couldnt hold up like they used to. As she sat the younger shadow explained his experiences over the last couple of years. Nash stated brightly that he had travelled. His tone helped lift a small amount of guilt from her conscious but not all of it. He spoke of roaming about the mountain and nearby territories. When he spoke of visiting the cove every month her heart leapt. Had she just stayed long enough she would have found him much sooner. Any guilt that had just previously vanished was back. She had wish she had found him sooner, so that not only he wouldn't feel alone but also so that she could teach him and protect him, as a mother should do. "I'm happy ya have learned so much. Ya will have to show me what ya've learned sometime." She smiled hoping it would provide them with a bonding experience.

The boy continued on to explain how about a week ago he had returned to the cove and found Chan, Neha, and Aleister. Nash said it was as if something had called them here and Moon smiled. She had been drawn back as well, maybe fate was smiling upon the Cove wolves. "It looks like gods have smiled upon us. I'm happy that we've found one another." Moon's gaze moved from her son to their surroundings with a sigh. It was so bittersweet to be back.

The boy - who isn't a boy anymore - paced in front of his mother as he said he had learned the land really well and wanted to translate that to helping the pack once it was formed. A smile formed across her face as Nash reminded her of his father, wanting to serve the pack and help them the best he could. Her tail thumped at the memory and thought. "I'm sure ya will be able to do somethin'. Perhaps scoutin' will be good for ya" She beamed proud that he not only had something to offer but wanted to use that for the good of others. "Why don't ya come sit with me? You're gonna make trenches with ya pacin'." She laughed and licked his face when he did finally settle in next to her. She continued to groom him as he asked her if she had been there for the Vuesain sibling's births and to tell him about them. Her coral tongue stopped its mission to answer. "I wasnt there when there were born but I did know them since they were pups. Your godfather had found me and brought me to the cove about this time of year when I was just a yearlin'. Neha, Aleister, and their younger brother Cernan were just wee ones. It wasnt long after I arrived that Aleister had wandered off, so I never got to spend much time with him. But Neha was around for a while before she too left the cove." Moonshadow explained remembering the coming and going of the siblings. "Before she left she and I had gotten somewhat close. There was this lynx that was raiding  our caches and the pack banded together under their mother - Namid's - lead. We were successful in takin' the feline down but the youngest Vuesain - Lunette - was still a pup and I had moved to defend her, which seemed to anger her. But it had been Neha who came to my defense. That had solidified for me her and I's bond. She's a brave and caring woman, just as her mother was." Moonshadow was happy that not only were the Eastfall children home, but so were the Vuesain children as well.