I should not have gone so far.
And that was not to say that Kyna was actually a great distance from the den she and Ember had carved out only a few days prior, but certainly felt like it was ages away now that sharp grips of pain were rolling down her sides. Oh, yes, her mother had warned her that childbirth was going to be anything but a pleasant event, but the strawberry blonde hadn’t exactly wrapped her mind around the sheer hurt that might be involved until this very moment. Moving any faster that a walk felt like a feat in and of itself, stopping every so often as another contraction rippled through her. She did not think to call, not for her friends and not for her mate – not one was to see the young alpha suffer.
Kyna crawled into her birthing den with a soft groan, stretching out to make herself comfortable – but such a thing was impossible.
Night had long since fallen, familiar colors rolling overhead when Kyna twisted, nosing a squalling little ball of fur against her plush side. It did not concern her that there was but one pup; @Aponi never had more than one daughter, herself. And that is what Aurora Heights now had – one perfect, precious little daughter. One perfect, precious, loud little daughter. The new mother allowed herself a small smile as she continued to press her pink tongue against the squalling newborn, clearly less interested in any sort of bath as she squirmed forward, searching aimlessly for a teat.
“Revon,” she breathed, nosing the child closer. Finally, the pup did latch on, nursing greedily, and Kyna allowed herself a relieved sigh. Her shoulders relaxed and she glanced outwards, humming softly. Everything still hurt. Was it supposed to hurt? She would call for Greer, but she was certain it would disturb the pup she’d only just settled. Instead, she could only hope for the new father’s arrival.