Tyna

Gloria Feral's song

The howling rose above every sound in a very structured pattern. Granpda Feral who had been prowling froze, head cocked to catch every note. His eyes were wide and glassy, almost as if he might cry but instead he lifted his head up and added his voice.

Karry appeared at her father's side. Her higher howl spiraled over Andrew's for a moment, then choked into a tight wail. Without breaking his 'song' Andrew picked his daughter up and cradled her shaking form.

Logan felt his emotions play over his face and didn't bother to hide them. Unabashed tears fell down his cheeks as he remembered when he last heard this kind of howling. It was a song of final goodbye; a song of love.

Jubilee let her own tears fall as she wiped a tear away from Logan's face. They stared at each other for a long time before she nodded in Andy's direction hoping that Logan would understand what she was trying to say.

"I know, darlin'. I know." Then he also raised his head and followed the cadence of the song instinctively.

Derek had come running up to Jubilee's room to collect her for their date. His father's howling pretty much stopped him in his tracks at her doorway. He watched their exchange and was startled even further when Logan began to howl as well. They were nearing the end of the song and he drew in the long breath.

As if sensing that this was Derek's part of the song Andrew turned to stare into Jubilee's room and stopped howling. Logan followed cue and also went silent. Karry had settled down to crying very sofly. Granpa's querelous howl died away leaving Derek alone. He sustained his grief laden howl to honor the memory of his mother then let it die away.

In the silence that followed, a answering howl from a wild wolf, shook them from their momentary trance. Derek smiled and it was the most beautiful thing Jubilee had ever seen.

"She heard us," he said reverently. "DAD..." he yelled.

"YES, SON I HEARD!" was Andy's jubilant response. He was already headed for the house.

They waited in Jubilee's room for Andrew. Karry had fallen asleep with a smile on her face. He placed her gently on Jubilee's bed and engulfed his son in a huge hug.

"Hey," Derek protested. This much display of affection would ruin his reputation. When he was freed from his father's embrace he tried to look indignant. It was very hard to hold it up when his mouth kept wanting to smile.

Andrew clapped Logan's shoulder. "Ya got some kid there, Logan," he said and nodded toward Jubilee.

"Don't call me kid," Jubilee responded automatically. Warned by similar encounters, Jubilee felt a presence at her back and wasn't suprised to find Karry standing there rubbing dried tears from her face.

"I toldja so. Nobody likes to be called kid," she grinned. Everyone laughed.

Hi readers, on behalf of my self and the other authors. I'd like to thank you for reading. If enough requests are made there is a possibility of a sequel.