The past days had been a whirlwind. Adjusting to this new place, finding a new home, and pups being born! It was a lot for Altair to wrap his head around, not in a bad way, he was truly blessed by the Star Mother to have so many amazing things happen. It was just a lot to process.

And all these events, and emotions have made him think a lot lately. He’s caught himself day dreaming or his mood shifting suddenly more than usual. One of those things being if one day he might have a family of his own. If he would make a good dad. If the Star Mother would bless him with a mating bond. His stomach churned, anxiety prickling into the back of his brain like a bird's talons. He’s never seen a mating bond, but there were always stories and legends told to pups. This is why he needed a few hours, doing something that required no thinking. He could let instinct and ritual take over. Vega was also off on her own doing whatever she did when he’s not around annoying the feathers off of her.

Besides, he had to figure out where the good game was, especially with the pups growing like little weeds.


As he stepped into the forest at the base of the mountain, he took a deep breath. Inhaling the warm air, and the scent of the forest, and listening to the rustle of the leaves in the faint breeze. And he walked, not in any specific direction, just a direction.


The birds chirped their optimistic melodies, flying from tree to tree. He focused on the familiar sounds and smells of the forest so his mind couldn’t wander too far. He focused on the soft grass underneath his paws, and the dirt beneath that. The familiar sounds and smells comforting, but not quite easing his thoughts.

And as he wandered he came across a little patch of yellow flowers, the same color as his mothers favorite color. He smiled at the flowers, remembering how his mother would always leave flowers with medicine as someone was healing. Maybe a sign from her that everything would be ok. He thought about staying and sniffing or taking the flowers as a nice gesture to the pack, but maybe another time. He was out here to stop thinking.

So he continued until he spotted tracks, deer by the looks of it. He let his instincts take over as he smelled the tracks and started following them. Stepping carefully to not make a sound. Even though he’s done this many times, his mind still seemed plagued by thoughts that drifted in and out. Teasing him until he couldn’t focus. The tracks weren’t the freshest, and with not being able to focus fully he gave up with a frustrated exhale and groaned.

He wasn’t sure why these thoughts were circling his mind like predators, and now he was the prey. All he needed was some time to relax… maybe a nice lay down would help.

There was a clearing just ahead that he decided to lay in, where the sun could shine freely. He stretched, a few joints popping as he did, and he chose his spot right in the middle. He lay with a small huff and welcomed the warmth as it seeped into his bones. This was what he needed.

He closed his eyes and hummed to himself. A lullaby his mother used to hum to him as a pup, and he let the world around him slowly fade.

Only feeling the warmth consume him.