She could feel it, the swelling of her belly, and the growing cubs inside of her. She could feel it all and it felt…odd. Pregnancy was extremely new to her. She was experienced in the mothering aspect after birth because of Belladonna and Datura. However, carrying her own children was new. But, Athena welcomed it. Indeed, soon she would be confided to her lake and soon after the den. So, today she took what freedom she had left to go to one of her favorite places in the Lore. Fireweed Rise.

The swelling leader made her way out of her domain and continued on her way towards the meadow where she had first arrived in the Lore. There were still patches of snow everywhere, but red patches were starting to come through with the arrival of spring. A happy smile formed on her face as she trotted through the meadow. Nothing could soil her happy and vibrant mood, except for maybe the Nomad dogs, but she kept those mutts off her mind for the moment. Sprawling out across the grassy knoll, she lied on her fattening belly overlooking the meadow below her. The warming weather was a nice change compared to the cold winter they experienced. Her thick winter coat was shedding nicely with the change in seasons and soon her flowing ivory fur would be back. Once her children were born and old enough to travel, this would be the first place she’d take them. She could see her cubs playing together among the red flowers as she sat upon this grassy knoll with Eden at her side. Her cheerful smile grew larger as her fiery eyes envisioned this.

The new scar that slashed across her muzzle had gradually stopped throbbing with pain about two weeks after her encounter with Rhysis and Ava on the mountain. It had been pure luck that both of them came out alive. Another avalanche ended up splitting them up, but if that avalanche hadn’t occurred perhaps one or neither of them would be alive. Anger and hatred now ran deep between them now where there was once love and respect. Athena looked like quite the badass with the multiple scars upon her face, but to her they were only reminders of the internal scars that lacerated her heart. However, she wasn’t about to let an old memory foul her good mood now.

The gentle wind ruffled through her thinning coat, but also brought the scent of another to her. It didn’t take long at all to realize who was in her presence, she knew that scent anywhere. However, it had changed. No longer did the black cloaked woman smell like a rogue or Poison Path, no she smelt like the cedars and many others, especially a male. Ava also smelled of breeding, like Athena. So the two ex-lady gang members meet again knocked up this time. Ava didn’t stick around on the mountain when she had fought with Rhysis, but she couldn’t blame her. If Athena was in her shoes, she would have done the same thing.

It didn’t take her long to settle herself among the grasses close by, yet far enough for her comfort. Athena still didn’t know what to think of her. She had left her when she needed her the most and here she was now with another pack’s scent on her, almost mocking her. It would seem that Ava moved on, quickly and possibly without care while Athena was still hurt. She didn’t even get a goodbye or reason for her disappearance. So Athena deemed that must not have been worth it in Ava's eyes. However, she still wanted to share stories with the black raven at her side. She still wanted that friendship. But, would Ava deem her not worth it again?

Shoving the thoughts back, she glanced over slightly to look over the woman besides her. She definitely looked pregnant, and so did she. They were both fat which brought a smirk to her face. The lean fighting machine bodies that they used to have were being replaced by fat, pregnant bodies. Oh, how things have changed. Athena honestly had no idea what to say. Should she not say anything at all and let the silence overtake them? Or should she grow some balls and say something? Clearing her throat, she turned to Ava set on asking how everything was, but when nothing came out, she stumbled and threw out a childish and simple greeting. ”Hi.” Flicking her ears back in embarrassment, she tried looking forward like nothing happened.