There was nothing for miles around to slow them down. The grass seemed to stretch on forever, with the trees, as tall as they were, still just a dark fringe at the edge of the horizon, with the purple mountains clawing high above their tops. Blue tossed her head, sensing her mate close behind, and kicked it up a notch, feeling adrenaline flood her system and her vision sharpened to almost needle-like focus.

Omega's laughter rang in her ears and Blue had to smile; hearing his amused outbursts never failed to thrill her. She leapt a small depression as if it weren't even there, landing perfectly and streaking off again. But she'd been cooped up indoors for nearly two months; it was disappointingly soon when she felt her muscles begin to protest and she forced herself to slow down, then more, a trotting jog, and finally halted altogether, only to collapse with breathless laughter in the field of waving wildflowers and fragrant grass, the setting sun coating the entire landscape in shades of soft orange and gold.