Sanguine Cove tre[m]ble

With every sound Kateri was looking at that mouth of the den with her ears perked forward. She was getting anxious about whether or not her mother was okay. She moved to a sitting position before finally standing. She was ready to March right up and ask no matter the consequences. Surely her presence would be welcome, right? She was Aquene's daughter too. Why wouldn't she be, Nash was allowed. Just as she had made up her mind her stepfather exited the den.

He was happy, celebratory even. Immediately he announced the number of pups which stopped Kateri dead in her thoughts. The only thing now on her mind was the fact that she'd have to compete with three of them. Before disappearing back into the den Nash stated they would be able to meet the pups soon but she realized it didn't matter much to her to meet them now.

She knew her mother was okay and resting. That was what mattered. Maybe she could see her later when she wasn't so busy. Kateri decided to take her leave and let Oksana have her turn meeting the pups.

~Kateri's exit

(This post was last modified: May 04, 2022, 05:17 PM by Kateri.)

The cove Leader had taken to laying in her place outside the den. However finding a comfortable position while she waited for news was more difficult than she thought it would be. Oksana couldn't help but wonder of that was normal. Maybe she'd get the chance to as Aquene once things settled down for her. The Shaman had gone through this twice now so surely she had some advice.

It wasn't long after she found a comfortable position that Nash came out and announced that they had three pups. "Congratulations," she spoke to the man before he announced as well that they would get to meet them soon. Oksana didn't get up. Instead she continued to wait for her chance to see the newest members of the family and the cove. She however took note of Kateri disappearing into the forest.

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I think I need help, cuz I'm drowning in myself

The weather had been warming, taking the snow as it usually did. However, this year it seemed to also be taking the water from their precious lake. Mercury orbs looked over the dwindling body of water as she felt its cool touch lapping at her toes. Her large paws stood in strange soft sand that should be feet under the surface. To say the ebony woman was worried was an understatement. The glimmering lake was their sole water source up on their mountain home. If it were to dry up they would be forced to leave and journey to the valley below in search of the precious liquid. Little do the cove wolves know that their water was actually one of the last remaining sources. She worried for Aquene and Oksana and this years pups. The mothers needed to remain hydrated and full on food to produce enough milk. One could argue because of this worry the Eastfall matriarch subconsciously began to drink less water to conserve for those who needed it more. This caused her to start getting slight headaches that made the sun seem extra bright. Though true to her nature Moon didnt seek out help, there was enough on everyone's plates as it was. Plus, she knew good and well there was some extra fear within her daughter-in-law. The fear of losing more children before they had the chance to live. It plagued her during the entirety of her second pregnancy and simply knew the younger woman was experiencing the same thing.

Moonshadow had done her best to stick close to Aquene, knowing she would give birth before Oksana. As luck would have it she had stepped away to go get a drink and missed the birth all together. Silver tipped ears flicked as Nash's call rang through the cove. Three little ones. Her heart skipped a beat. Three! She had three more grandbabies. Joy flooded the grandmother as she let out her own call of celebration. Her voice quieted but her head remained skyward. Cool pools misted as she spoke quietly "Three more grandbabies Tagg, three more precious little ones for ya to watch over." She smiled a moment more at the sky before turning and running as quick as her aged limbs could carry her.

Long dark limbs slowed as the scent of birth reached her nose. Soon Aquene's den came into view along with Oksana's (very pregnant) form nearby and the smaller agouti form of Kateri leaving the site. Moon made a note to go seek the girl out later to see how she was feeling about having so many younger siblings, as she was related to both of the Coves' litters this year. She had missed Nash's words to their dark alpha so she moved to greet the expecting mother before letting out a chuff to notify her children of her arrival.

Word Count: 479

The warmer months had arrived in the lore. Though it seemed they were too warm because their lake was drying up. It bothered the dark man because he'd never seen Lost Lake as low as it was. He worried for the pack and the expecting Mother's. Being a father himself he knew how important water was for the health of both mother and pups. He understood there really wasn't much that Aleister or Oksana could do. They needed rain.

Kajika found himself pacing the border more to keep his feet moving than anything else. It helped to calm the worries that he felt. His pawsteps were stopped however when he heard the call of his grandson. Aquene was having her pups. The dark man knew he couldn't miss such a special event.

His large paws carried him over the dry earth toward the medicinal den. On his way there he heard Nash's voice again. Three pups had arrived into the cove that day. There he found Oksana and Moonshadow outside waiting. He moved to moons side and brushed his nose against her shoulder. "I'm happy for you Moonshadow and Nash amd Aquene too."

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Pping Lynx arriving with Al

This last trip outside the borders came up dry again as the Cove leader returned with Lynx had his side this time. Keeping himself within a close distance of the Cove as he wanted to be nearby for both his mate and Aquene if they needed anything. However, keeping close to the Lake was not proving to give the alpha any results in his search for water in this drought. He worried about his neighbors, but for now all he could focus on was his own pack.

As the agouti male returned to the borders of the Cove after being gone for a few days, the call from Nash reached his ears causing his gait to lengthen as him his son raced to Aquene's den. Arriving late, the agouti male greeted Moonshadow and Kajika before moving to his mate's side. "How are you feeling, Sana, my love?" He asked softly as he ran his muzzle against hers, giving her gentle licks upon the underneath of her jaw and along her muzzle. Once she gave him an answer, the alpha then asked, "How is she doing?" Mismatched gaze looking towards the dark depths of the birthing den.

As his eyes drfited from his mate, he noticed then that Kateri was not around, though her scent was still in the air. "Was Kateri here?" He asked softly to his mate.

 

She knew vaguely of the support that had gathered outside the den, but her focus was on the three small tufts of fur at her belly, the soft and exhausted smile overlayed her. Magg and Monatalia… after their parents. “Those are wonderful names.” She agreed softly before looking at their son, weighing the options. What would a fitting name be for their little warrior? It took a few seconds of thinking before she summoned a name. “Matos…” After both of her parents, looking to Nash for approval.

There was relief that her litter was healthy, that all were breathing and suckling… it felt right. They were parents. “I love you, Nash.” She cooed out softly, reaching up to nuzzle at his neck gently as she basked in the emotion of this moment. It was different than with Kateri, whose birth had been wrought with the heartache of Peyter’s failure to thrive, failure to live and draw breath into his lungs… “Would they like to meet them?” She asked softly, referring to the wolves who lingered outside the den. At the very least, Moonshadow should meet her grandchildren. She was tired, but she could spare a few more moments to let the pack meet some of the youth that would be joining them before she caved to the sleep that was calling to her.

Aquene Slayer

Nash nuzzled his wife and gazed proudly at his children. He wondered if his father had felt like this when he'd been born, even though he'd already had Chan. He hoped Tagg was proud of him still. Unable to help himself, he reached down to briefly groom the crown of each nursing pup. His children.

Aquene agreed on the girls' names, and after a moment offered a suggestion for their son. "Matos," Nash agreed. A wonderful name. All of them. He hummed. "Matos, Magg, and Monatalia. Our beautiful children." He kissed his wife's head, nibbling gently on her ear for a moment as she nuzzled him. At her question about the others, Nash glanced toward the den entrance. He knew more of the pack had gathered since he'd called and for a moment protectiveness welled inside him, selfishly wanting to keep this moment to themselves. It quickly passed; if Aquene was okay having visitors, he would allow them to meet their newest pack members. He nodded to her. "I'll be just outside if you need me," he promised before slipping back outside and shaking himself.

He surveyed the assembled wolves with a smile, which briefly faltered when he realized Kateri was no longer present. Didn't she want to meet her sisters and brother? He couldn't dwell on it now, however. "Three," he said again. "Matos, Magg, and Monatalia. You can each meet them now, if you'd like, but one at a time please." He wandered to his mother's side and butted his head against her shoulder. She was a grandmother again. He wished Chan was here to enjoy this moment with them.

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2022, 07:18 PM by Nash.)

Oksana was happy for Aquene that her birthing had gone so well and so quickly. Oksana could only hope that her's went as smoothly as the Shamans. Her gaze was on the den entrance after Nash had gone back inside. She waited to hear more news from inside. While she did so Aleister arrived, she offered him a tired smile as he asked her how she was doing. "A little tired but I need to be here for Aquene." She returned his affections with a kiss to his cheek and nuzzle into his neck. They could talk more about why he was late later.

Oksana knew it had to do with the water. It was so important to the success of the pack through this drought. Oksana also offered a smile to her stepson, "Thank you for coming Lynx," she told the boy. Her attention was brought back to Aleister when he asked about Aquene, "She's doing well. Three little ones all healthy. The birthing was quick and now we're just waiting for Nash to let us to let us know about meeting them." Oksana did want to meet the pups but if Aquene decided that she was too tired then Oksana would wait until the mother had her rest.

Oksana was hoping Aleister wouldn't ask about Kateri but he had so sje answered. "She was here for the birthing. Then left as soon as Nash came out with the good news." She told her husband, "She just might need sometime." Oksana remembered what she'd felt like learning she had a brother. She was happy about it but things were different for her. She hadn't been that only child that hadn't had her mother sole attention.

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Fading this out!

Aquene did not stay awake for long. As the wolves who wanted to filtered in to get their eyes on the bundles of fur at her belly, the mother drifted off to sleep. She was exhausted from the laborious delivery and she doubted anyone, particularly the other mothers in the crowd, would fault her for doing so. Besides, Nash could surely handle conversing with anyone who came by. She even snored lightly, as she did when she was simply that tired. All the while, their three newborn children were nursing at her stomach and fading off into sleep themselves, milk drunk from all they had eaten.

Aquene Slayer