Chinook watched as Ataria flew away from Tree Haven to her final moments alive on earth. Soon she would be free from life and all its troubles to be with her mate in happiness. A tear escapes from his eye and a sudden depression hits him.
"Chinook."
Chinook turns around to see Shade flying up to roost with him. He puts his wing around him, "You o.k.?"
"Off course." Chinook replies wiping the tears off his face. He sniffs, and he can tell Shade doesn't by it by the look he gives him of doubt.
"I know you had a thing for her, but you'll find someone else. Besides, she'll be happy as can be where she's going. She's already been put through life's troubles." Shade tells him with sympathy in his voice.
"I know." Chinook replies but the words barley escapes his mouth. "I know."
"Why don't you come hunt with me –now that it's safe of course- to relieve some stress?" Shade asked him.
"Maybe later, there's something I want to do first." Chinook replies.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm going to find Penumbra."
"O.k. then. Oh, by the way, Marina and I are having our honeymoon back at the island where we first met."
"Good for you."
"Yeah, to tell you the truth – and you better not tell anyone this – I didn't like the idea of getting romantic with Marina, so basically, I was afraid to mate with her. But now, after what's happened, I know that I'm lucky to have her."
"You were afraid to mate with her."
"Yeah, but don't tell anyone."
At the island where they met, Marina and Shade had finally roosted comfortably together.
"Did you hear, Chinook asked Penumbra to be his mate? She was so excited. I think they'll be very happy together." Marina tells Shade.
"I know they will."
Marina kisses Shade, and pulls away, but Shade pulls her back, surprising her.
"Gained confidences have we?" Marina asked him.
"And much much more." Shade says pulling in as close as she can be to him. They become one, while there love engulfs over them.
"I love you Marina. And I always will."
Epilogue
Chinook becomes mated to Penumbra. Ataria's demon was officially released from her. No one in the colony knows about what happened except for mostly Chinook, though he doesn't even know Zotz. He knows she's finally happy wherever she is. Marina becomes pregnant, and Shade and the other males leave for Stone Hold. After all the events, were at the beginning of Firewing.
End of Moonwing
