Page 68 of Wind Rider

“Yes! Exactly!” Jaxom said.

“That’s how it feels when Rigel and I greet the sun,” Mari said.

“Bloody beetle balls! Neither of you have Moon Fever!” Nik blurted, and the Pack gasped.

Sora spread her arms wide, showing her untainted skin. “I do not have Moon Fever!”

O’Bryan, Wilkes, Claudia, and the rest of the people who used to belong to the Tribe of the Trees pressed closer as the Pack stared, gaping, at Sora and Jaxom.

“It’s their Companions,” O’Bryan said. “It has to be.”

Nik nodded vigorously in agreement, raising his voice so that all the Pack members could hear him. “That must be it! Through our connection to our Companions, we share the power of the sun. Our ancient stories say that long ago, before the world changed, canines lived much shorter lives, but after the miracle of the Choosing happened between canines and humans, their lives extended to what they are today.” Nik was speaking directly to the Earth Walkers in the Pack. “We’ve always believed that is because of the power of the sun—that through us we share it with our canines—but maybe that isn’t completely accurate. Maybe it’s the other way around—our canines channel the strengthening power of the sun throughthemtous.” He turned to Jaxom and Sora. “And now, because you’ve become Companions, bonded body and spirit to your canines, they are sharing the power of the sun with you.”

“And it somehow prevents Moon Fever,” Mari finished for Nik. She faced the Earth Walkers. “You know what that means? You couldallbe free of Moon Fever!”

Rose was suddenly there, beside Mari. “May I speak to the other Earth Walkers?”

“Yes, of course,” Mari said, motioning for Rose to take her place.

Rose cleared her throat and looked nervous, but determined. “I do not know if this will help, but I feel I need to tell you in case, even in some small way, it does. In the Tribe everyone raised each litter. Weallhandled puppies. Not as soon as they were born—that would’ve overwhelmed them—but around this age.” She lifted one of the pups, whose tail wagged as she wriggled in Rose’s arms. “Now, when they’re older and able to walk around, awkwardly, by themselves—now is when the Tribe begins handling them. We do not know why a pup Chooses a particular person. We do not know if handling the pup makes any difference, but we do know it doesn’t hurt. So, I am inviting you to handle Rose’s pups. Spend time with them. Get to know the little canines, because if they really can stop you from suffering from Moon Fever, well, then, I’d like them to be part of that miracle—just like Sora’s little Chloe is.”

“Thank you, Rose. That was very generous,” Mari said.

“Rose, I—” Overcome with emotion, Sora hugged Rose tightly, until the pup she’d been holdingandChloe complained.

“We know Chloe Chose Sora earlier than any pup has ever Chosen anyone from the Tribe,” said Isabel. “But what is the normal age that they begin to Choose their Companions?”

“That’s a good question,” Rose said. “And I want the Pack to know that if you have any questions about canines—any at all—please, just come to me and ask. Pups are usually ready to be weaned and leave their mother at about eight weeks old. Between then and about six months old, all pups Choose their Companions.”

“How old are Fala’s pups now?” Jenna asked, tickling the pup Rose was holding under her chin.

Rose smiled and handed Jenna the puppy. “They’re almost five weeks old now.”

“Wow, so they’re going to start Choosing soon!” Jenna said, cuddling the puppy as it licked her face.

“And those of you who used to be part of the Tribe won’t mind if the pups Choose Earth Walkers?” Isabel asked.

Nik’s chuckle was echoed by the other Companions. “What we mind or don’t mind has very little to do with it. A pup’s Choice is his or her own. In the Tribe we learned long ago that it can’t be predicted or rushed.”

“Or changed,” Wilkes added. “Well, except for Jaxom’s Fortina.”

“You said you heard of it happening before,” Jaxom said. “A canine leaving his Companion.”

“Yes, I used to enjoy talking with our Storyteller, Ralina.” Wilkes hesitated as sadness shadowed his face. Then he shook himself and continued. “We discussed many things, and once she told me a story about a Shepherd leaving his Companion after that man betrayed his family and his Tribe.”

“That woman hurt my Fortina,” Jaxom said darkly.

“I remember the day Fortina Chose Maeve,” Nik said. “Father and I spoke of it in private. Maeve didn’t want to accept the pup’s Choice because the pain of losing her first Companion was too great. Father had to encourage her. Perhaps her heart wasn’t able to love more than one Shepherd.”

“I saw Maeve strike Fortina,” Mari said. “I’m glad the pup left her.”

“She’s with me now, and no one will ever hurt her again,” said Jaxom, putting his arms around the young Shepherd as she leaned into him.

“You saved her, and in return she saved you,” Sora said. “Just like my Chloe saved me.”

“It is a miracle.” Jenna spoke in a hushed voice before she kissed the pup she was holding.

“Yes, a miracle,” Danita agreed.