Driftwood Surge the world was on fire and no one could save me but you

I'd never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you

This time, she’d noticed the subtle changes in her body. She’d noticed the way that her scent had started to change and rather than the fear she first experienced, she found herself excited at the prospect of being with children once more. She doubted she was the only one who was noticing this change in herself as well, as the sparrow spaced around the inside of the territory, seeking out her husband so they might be able to celebrate the good news that this meant together. She already began to wonder about the life that was starting to develop inside her.

How many were there? Would they be boys or girls? What kind of young men and women would they grow into? Would they have any strange quirks like their parents and siblings had? There was a world of questions the icy eyed woman had, that she had to wait to get answered. It pained her to have to wait… but this year, she’d play it safe and she’d wait it out. That way, nothing could happen to their children. She spotted the alabaster form that clung to the form she recognized as her mate. Lach! She said to greet him as she crept up, joy in her tone as she brushed her nose against his cheek in passing, her tail wagging from side to side. Their legacy had begun, and it was a whole new world.

His head snapped around at his wife’s voice, his ivory brows knitted together as he met her sapphire gaze. Lachesis mentally cursed himself for missing her scent, but there was something different about it. It was not as strong as it had been at the beginning of the month. While he was still no expert at fatherhood, Lachesis liked to think he was a little more prepared this time. Especially since their second litter was planned this time, unlike last year when they had allowed their emotions (and hormones) get the better of them. The change in her scent could only mean one thing—which earned a sigh of relief from the ghost as she sauntered toward him. He nipped at the base of her ear out of affection as he greeted her with a warm smile, his plume wagging low behind his hindquarters. Val, he hummed into her fur as he nosed her cheek, his chartreuse gaze soft as he studied her. How are you feeling? He did not want to treat her like she was fragile, but he couldn’t help but worry after the death of their son. Stillborns were an unfortunate part of life, especially when it came to new mothers, but it still had negatively impacted the new family. He knew Lilya still blamed Mittani for the death of Laddeus. Even XIX did.

It just meant he was going to be watching his mate more closely this spring, to ensure nothing like that happened again…

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

She slowly turned into his touch as he greeted her, that familiar nickname which floated from his lips alone soothing her as he asked how she was feeling. M’feelin’ good! She felt so much better than this time last year, in which she was seeking him out for medical treatment and learning from him that she’d been knocked up and that they were having kids. This year, she’d purposefully been staying within their borders, not willing to take any risks while also enforcing her rights with more dominant and agitated behavior. My oh my, how times had changed.

We did it. She murmured again with a smile. Ah think we’ll get a son this year… at least one, maybe two ‘r who knows three. She smiled at him, those icy blue eyes excited for the first time in quite a while. The Surge was theirs and the tragedy of their lives was in the past. They were going to move on, and their future was going to be bright. There ‘r so many things ta do… Ah know we ‘ave time but with th’new land we gotta find a new den location, n’talk about names… She was nervous, yes, but it was a good kind of nervous.

Her chipper response earned a warm smile from the ghost, his head tipping to the side in amusement. Things had certainly changed from the year before… the couple were actually prepared for what was to come in the spring. This time Lilya didn’t even need Lachesis to tell her about her situation—she had figured it out all by herself. And boy was Lachesis elated. The same joyous feeling he had felt the last two years surged through him, causing his plume to wag excitedly behind him. Or four, or five… he hummed into her fur as he nosed her neck fur once more, a playful growl accompanying his words. His expression, however, grew more serious as he pulled away once Lilya spoke once more, listing off things the couple needed to check off their lists. He nodded absently before motioning for her to walk with him. Do you have any places in mind? He asked, curious as to whether the mother-to-be had already scouted out some areas in the mountain forest. Names? Well, Lachesis Jr… Lilya Jr… and… Nineteen Jr? He teased with a quick wink in her direction.

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

She chuckled as the numbers kept rising. M’not sure if Ah could carry that many at one time… gotta be a multi-litter process. She teased back as she softly inhaled, absorbing his comforting scent. She started to walk beside him, her eyes scanning over the territory as he asked her about any places she might have in mind. Nothin’ in particular, but Ah think it needs ta be farther away from th’River n’on high ground… in case th’banks flood in th’spring or summer. She suggested, remembering what Askan had said, letting it influence her decisions just to be on the safer side of things.

And when he asked about names, she let out another chuckle, giving him a soft bump with her shoulder. Ah will not ‘ave a Lilya junior runnin’ around! She protested before thinking about it. M’thinkin’… maybe… if yer okay with it, we should name one o’them after Maksim n’Kisla. She knew how much the pair had meant to him, and though she had never met Maksim, she had seen Kisla as a close friend, and her loss had hit her harder than she had allowed herself to show in the past.

He hummed in amusement at his wife’s words, and gave a soft nod of agreement. Lachesis would be happy with even one child, girl or boy. All that mattered to him was that their little family continued to grow, and that they would flourish in their new home. He didn’t want the move to Driftwood to be seen as a mistake—especially by his mate, or his children.

While there were plenty of places for them to dig out a den closer to the river, Lachesis knew that higher ground was a better option. With the abundance of snow over the winter XIX knew that the river they were nestled beside would be surging with run-off from the mountains. The river wolves had become experts when it came to flooding, but he didn’t want to experience another one in their new home. Or, potentially be chased away by one. Sounds good to me, he murmured as he continued forward, his chartreuse gaze sweeping over to glance at her briefly. We’ll find the perfect spot. There were plenty of trees and fallen logs to dig out dens beneath; he did not worry that they would have trouble finding an ideal location. It was deciding where that would be the most difficult task.

A laugh escaped him at her comment about Lilya junior, but he couldn’t help but agree. He didn’t want another Lachesis, or Nineteen, running around the Surge either. His expression, however, grew more serious as her tone softened, causing his curiosity to spike. … we could name one o’them after Maksim n’Kisla. He beamed at the suggestion. I think that’s a wonderful idea, he responded, his nose pressing softly to her cheek. It was the perfect way to pay respects to their fallen friends. Now that you mention it, he started, a small smile still present on his pale features, I was thinking of naming one after another one of our packmates…

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

They would find the perfect spot, with time… the mother just felt excited for this season, like it would be so much better than the last… she wouldn’t be attacked, and she would deliver healthy children, no stillborn in sight… she could feel it in her bones. She was glad he liked her suggestion about naming one of them after the dearly departed founders of Hearthwood River… it was something she’d personally thought long and hard over. She had wanted to honor them in some way but she hadn’t really known how until it had hit her just a couple of days prior, and she’d been waiting for her scent to change to talk to Lachesis about it.

He suggested naming them after another packmate and she tilted her head questioningly. Who ya got in mind? There were more than one that she could think of in that moment. Perhaps Ayti for standing by them through thick and thin, never betraying them… or perhaps Ana, to show the dove she’d always have a place here, in their lives… though the both seemed unlikely and she was unsure of how either of them would take it if they found out. She supposed her mate would just have to answer this question for her.

Coming up with names had never been a talent of the ghost’s. Atropos had been a name tossed around by his mother, as it was the name of a deceased relative XIX had never met. It was a reminder of his former life; the one he never planned on returning to. Lilliana was a subtle nod to Anastasia and Lavender, well, the reason behind her name should have been obvious.

Although this would be his third litter Lachesis was still grasping how to be a father—and a good one. He was not immune to mistakes, as they happened often, but he was fortunate to have Lilya at his side. With her he made less mistakes, and when he did she was there to rectify them (or comfort him). Being in Driftwood made him feel more comfortable with both his position as a leader and as a father. This was their land—not land passed down to him as the result of unfortunate circumstances. There were no ghosts here (not yet); they could breathe freely and forge their own history in the mountain forest. Without Hearthwood, or Maksim, he would not be in his current position, and while he would be eternally grateful to the fallen patriarch, Lachesis also wanted to lead a pack that belonged to him. To them. His time spent with the tawny Baranski would not be forgotten, and he could easily visit the ghosts that lurked in the Ethos, but he was happy to have moved. To start over.

The one that made all of this possible, he laughed, his expression soft as he pressed his nose to her cheek. I would have figured out my feelings for you eventually, but he certainly helped speed things up. He’d been so angry after seeing Aytigin with Lilya—his velvet words luring her in; pulling her away. He’d always had a soft spot for the sparrow, especially after she had spent a few nights with him in order to fight off the nightmares that had plagued her, but his feelings had bubbled—no, boiled—to the surface upon seeing Aytigin try and move in on her. The bear-like wolf hadn’t been very graceful about it, fortunately for Lachesis. He’d also improved immensely since arriving in Hearthwood, earning his place as both Lachesis’ second and the pack’s Guardian. It seemed only fitting. Hopefully they don’t adopt any of his personality traits from the name, he teased, his tail flicking behind him as he met her sapphire gaze.

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

She listened as he explained, nosing her cheek as she grinned back at him. Aytigen. She wouldn’t mind it – he did play a rather instrumental part in getting the two alphas to get together in the first place. They had been rather unconventional, but here they stood, leading… Ah think that’s a great idea. She said back as the wheels started to turn in her head, trying to find a name that wasn’t Ayti Junior but was still close enough for everyone to get the point. If they get some o’his traits, then th’Surge better run. She shot back when he’d made the comment about their child possibly garnering some traits from the second. She paused for a second, pondering. Ah was also thinkin’… if we ‘ave a boy… namin’ ‘im after ma brother, Leith… Her family still weighed heavy in her heart.

It was one of the few burdens she allowed herself to carry, and he knew that better than any other wolf, because he was often there when the nightmares did occasionally slip into her head. It was a lot better than it had been before Lach had started giving her something to sleep… but it’d never get rid of it all.