June 14th, 2016
Draven could pretend no longer like he hadn't been avoiding the birthing den and the newly born pups. In fact it was his duty as a yearling to take on a large amount of the pup-sitting duties as they aged and the Lagina could not deny his responsibilities any longer. Still when he thought of them so young and squirming and fragile it made him uneasy, what if he brought misfortune on them? His own childhood had gone so quickly from the picture of happiness to a deep depression that still held him in its grasp. He could see the light at the end of the tunnel but whenever there was a thunderstorm the teenager barely held it together as thoughts of his mother berated him. What if somehow his very presence brought along something horrible to the new princesses?
Still, he could not deny what his duty within the pack was. As such he had spent well over a hour up his ankles in the lake (as far from the nesting swans as possible) trying to catch a fish. At first he thought he might have some natural talent as his first try almost caught him a fat one but as fruitless attempt after attempt followed he began to lose hope. Finally his jaws clasped firmly around a salmon, much smaller than he would have liked but it would have to do at this point.
Approaching the den cautiously his green eyes strained to peer inside as he dropped to his belly and inched forward. The pups were nearly a month old and so he really did not need to be so reserved but discomfort set him on edge. Nudging the salmon along with his nose he called out, "Namid? Are..are you there?" If not he would leave the present for when she returned and try again later, if he worked up the nerve again.