in my ears, “My name is Destiny.”

Balto grins. “I like it…Welcome home, Destiny.”

A howl soars through the night, slicing through the windows. I jump up to one of the windowsills and unconsciously start to shake. Through that howl one single word roars: “Luna!”

I know that name, I know that voice, I know that howl. “Cyan!” Just like Crystal had said, Cyan had disappeared…to find me. I dash through the small flap in the doorway and tear up the street as I follow the howl out into the tundra. I only have to go a few feet before I crash into something, and it turns around with a hopeful smile. It’s Cyan. “Luna?”

“It’s Destiny now,” I can’t help saying happily. The name feels so right, and best of all, I chose it myself. “Cyan, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you with the pack?”

“Oh, they don’t need me there,” Cyan replies with a flippant toss of his paw, “I just needed to find you. To make sure you were safe.”

“Well…I’m fine,” I say, “You didn’t have to stalk me. I was just…trying to find my family.”

“And did you?”

“Yeah. Yeah, my brother’s in a house in this town, probably wondering where I ran off to so suddenly.” Unbidden, a grin comes to my mouth. I don’t know why. I don’t remember ever feeling this happy. I have a name, I have a family. What more could I want?

“Oh.” Cyan’s face falls. He slowly turns away. “Well…I guess I’ll be going.”

He only takes two steps before I burst out.

“Cyan!” I cry, “Why are you really here? Really.”

He spins around, and his eyes are like wheels of ice, turning frantically. “Why am I here? Why have I been following you? Well, it’s…I…well…I love you!”

The words hit me in the face. BAM.

“Almost since that morning I tackled you, I’ve loved you,” he whispers, “Do you remember that night Kamotz attacked you?”

“I remember, I remember,” I mumble, my mouth barely moving. I can’t feel a thing.

“I would have been the one who saved you,” Cyan blurts out, “But Jaydor had someone hold me back while he rescued you. It was all part of his plan to get you to trust him. I would have said something, but I didn’t think anyone would’ve believed me, and it didn’t really matter at that point. Luna – I mean Destiny…” He looks up at me. My insides rock with water. I have no idea what I’m going to do next.

Cyan’s blue eyes fall to his legs where the scars Jaydor gave him still show plainly. “I knew you wouldn’t take me. I’m sorry. I just had to see you.” He turns once again to go.

Something sparks inside me, and then kindles into a flame. I put my foot down hard. “Cyan! When I want a mate, I want to be the one who chooses him!” I run up to him and rub my head along his neck. “And I choose you.”

Cyan’s mouth drops open. “Are you…Are you sure getting a different name didn’t change you?” he asks breathlessly, “The Luna I know would never do this!”

“I’m Destiny,” I remind him, “And I am different.” I’m whole.

We stand there in the cold night, nuzzling each other. Cyan runs his muzzle over my head and licks my face, whispering to me, “Destiny. My Destiny…”

And deep down, I know I’ve found my destiny. I’ve found Cyan. I’ve found Balto. I’ve found myself, Destiny.

Luna/Shannon/Destiny, Roan, Soran, Kalim, Jaydor, Ice Moon, Crystal, Cyan, Mark, Shadow, Matt, Ketch, Fire Eye, Silver Snow, and Wildfire © redwolf03