It was an innate sense that something had changed within his lands. The ivory regal had spent the majority of his days scouting the surrounding areas for prey, and contemplating the tantalizing prospect of a pack hunt. Of course, with cubs on the way, his days were also primarily spent catching smaller, more feasible meals for his mate – primarily because the only other adult within his ranks that he trusted was @Zia. He and Borlla had not spoken much since the brief altercation, but that did not mean he would allow her to go through her pregnancy without any form of support he could grant her.

As his paws loped in the direction of the den, he heard the sharp yelp of pain – feeling his own contraction of panic as it sluiced through his chest and straight to his heart. Borlla. Any form of mistrust and hesitation he felt for his creamy mate evaporated in that very instant, and jetting forward, the long limbs of the beast thrummed the mossy grounds of his haven as he sought her out.

She had moved by the time he came to the den mouth, and as concerned eyes of fiery orange glanced sharply at the entrance, as he neared, he could smell the very familiar scent of birthing and blood. A low whine escaped him then, assuring her of his presence, though knowing she would likely not accept him within the smaller confines they had dug out for their children. Sinking down to the ground, the Leader awaited the process, a worried huff escaping him before his eyes drifted back to the clearing, guarding the den from any unwanted presence as Borlla introduced their newest to the world.

It seemed eerily familiar – he had stalked outside of the den the last birthing then as well, and yet things had so drastically changed from now since the beginning of the Glen. Promise had lingered along every stone within their home, and their ranks had swelled with a loyalty he had trusted above and beyond even his own family – Inkheart, Ataneq, Lucero. And yet they were gone now.. leaving Magnolia Glen as a pack of strangers with broken memories as one of their cubs lay dead in the winter snow.

Borlla’s voice broke his reveries, and as his ears slid forward in anticipation, he paused a moment. The last time he had crept forward to witness such a thing, his son had been birthed with only three legs – a fate that likely had contributed to his swift death in the snow. While he expected this litter would be healthier, it was nearly impossible to tell.. Phineas had coaxed Borlla across the mountain, heavy with pups, and they had suffered the consequences. This year, there had been little food, and the ivory she-wolf’s health had been down.. who knew what fate had in store for them.

Slipping closer to the ground then, Phineas inched forward, his muzzle poking in through the entrance and his eyes blinking as they adjusted to the darkness that swam before him. Peering within, Borlla’s figure stood out in contrast to the dark walls.. and curled around her were three seemingly healthy pups. No words found their way to his muzzle.. instead, only a crooning growl escaped him as he made to lay down closer to the ground, staring on in silent awe.

While he was unwilling to break the silence, his eyes drifted upward, regarding her as a slow smile crept to her features. Borlla was stunning – even when he was mad at her, she still clenched at his heart. He made no movement to come forward and inspect them anymore than he had – he would respect her space, knowing his presence alone added an age old tension to the air that surpassed their current issues.

What will we name them? The question came out as a silent rumble, loathe to disrupt the quiet and potentially distract the three babes from their current peace. They could not hear yet, but they could sense disruptions in their environment.. and for the simple fact that they did not know him yet, he could certainly be defined as that.

His muzzle rested upon his paws then, his fiery gaze seeking them out once more. Two pale ivory coats and one of black. They were beautiful, though they would continue to change constantly over the next few months. Already he wondered what they would be like – headstrong and stubborn like their mother, or silent and domineering like their father. These thoughts soon strayed as he considered names himself, eliciting a small smile as he tipped his nose in the direction of the pale girl. Celandine, after the blossoms that used to blanket the meadow of my birth pack? The suggestion was one he knew his brothers would have appreciated, despite that he was not on speaking terms with any of them.

Borlla seemed compliant to this -- and as moments passed, Takis and Evy were graced with their names as well. Fatigue would surely settle upon them though, and with a quiet sweep of his eyes, the ivory regal pushed himself away from the den, allowing his family to rest.