Sanguine Cove tre[m]ble

@Nash -- They're finally here! Marked M for birthing

The pain had started just before dawn, that familiar ache that came with her swollen belly that told her it was almost time. This time, she was more prepared when the pain started to roll through her. She focused on her breathing, sharp inhales in and slower exhales to help compensate for the sharp cramps that came with the labor process. It was now the middle of the afternoon, the contractions growing closer together as she beckoned her mate.

She had the herbs in front of her, the lavender to help her breathe though her stores were brittle and frail thanks to the lack of water in the area. This year came with it’s own challenges. The lake was drying up more and more and she worried that if it dried up completely, that the pups would be in danger, that both she and Oksana would experience low supplies of milk and not be able to feed their children

But she could only focus on one thing at a time. She sought Nash’s presence, the comfort he always brought to her… and everyone else, if they dared step near the den they might just lose a nose in the process.

Aquene Slayer

The lakeshore, like the days, were growing longer, and Nash's concern for his pack - and his mate especially - grew with them. He knew the day his children would join them was drawing near, and as much as he wanted to check on their neighbors he was loathe to go far from Aquene's side. He was within sight of her most of the time, and always within earshot. Earlier in the day he'd retrieved a rabbit for her, but there was something different this morning. He realized when she beckoned to him and slipped into their private that it was time.

Oh stars, it was time.

Nash slipped in beside her, offering what comfort he could, while keeping both ear and eye on the mouth of the den and trying to give her space. He was here at her leisure, and if she wanted him to leave her for a while he would slip outside. His primary duty for now was to ensure his wife's wellbeing as she brought their pups into the world, and keep everyone else out.

To say she was worried was an understatement. The lack of water and browning of the plants all around them was very noticeable at this point. What worried her most was that her mother was going to have pups. Kateri had been struggling with the idea that she now had to share her mother. She'd been watching her mother closely over the past few weeks. She didn't know if Aquene knew or not but that didn't matter.

When she heard her mother's call for for Nash she knew that the time had come. The puppies were on their way amd frankly she was afraid of what that might mean for her. Despite that she'd gone to the den but she didn't approach closely. Instead she kept her distance and waited to make sure that everything went okay and that her mother would be okay. She was afraid that everything that was going on something bad might happen..

As leader it was her job to look out for her pack. Lately Oksana felt she'd been failing them. She didn't know how to fight a drought much less do it while she was pregnant. More importantly she was worried about her and Aquene's pups. The lack of water was going to take its toll on them. She couldn't travel any long to go in search of water. Thankfully there was still water in the lake but how long would it last? Many nights had been spent worrying and trying to figure out what to do.

It was by chance really that she heard the shamans call for her mate. Oksana was sure she knee what that meant so waddled hurriedly toward the medical den. She and Aquene had bonded and she considered the woman family so she wanted to give her support. She arrived to find her stepdaughter outside. She found a place close by the entrance to the den and sat down to wait for the arrival of the pups.

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It was not long before her mate arrived, relief finding her in that moment as he slipped beside her to offer her comfort. What further relieved her was the sense everyone else had to not attempt to enter the den. She was vaguely aware of the presence outside the den, but she could not focus on it or ofter thanks to them… not until after this was done. Soft words of encouragement falling as the pain radiated further. It was time. She had already taken the dandelion root for the anxiety that plagued her over this process, remembering the loss of her first son in the process of giving birth. She focused on her breathing, and with it came a faster birthing than she had been blessed with the year prior.

They had a son, escaping into the world as she pulled him close, licking him clean as she nuzzled at his chest to get his lungs working. He was breathing. He was healthy. She was relieved. She immediately nestled him against her belly, though she knew she was not yet done. The labor pains started not long after.

Aquene Slayer

Nash had been there for Kateri's birth, but this time seemed to be different. While the dark man hadn't been in the den itself last time, he knew this seemed to be happening quicker - and easier. He was aware two others had arrived outside, but neither ventured close enough for him to feel the need to warn them away. His step-daughter would be able to come meet her younger siblings soon enough, but she would have to wait for her mother's call.

Before he knew it a bundle of black was with them. He held his breath for only a moment before their son began squirming and Nash could breathe easy. Aquene directed the boy to her belly, but before Nash could do more than murmur pleasant words to his son, his wife was working to bring another life into the world.

The soon to be yearlings didn't really know much about what went into having puppies. She had no idea how long something like that would take so she laid down with her head on her paws to wait for some sign that it was all over with. Though, she still wasn't sure.

What was she supposed to do? Like what was normal? All she really knew was that she didn't like the idea at all. She viewed these new additions as something that would take her mother away from her. She wouldn't get so much time with Aquene learning about herbs and hearing stories.

Maybe I was selfish of her but that was how she felt. When she couldn't hear anything from the den she became worried that her mother was having difficulties. She remained where she was though not sure she wanted to be any closer.

Oksana kept her silent vigil outside the medical den. She knew birthing was hard, the soon to be mother wasn't disillusioned about that. She knew that it would soon be her turn. She hoped that Aquene might know that she was out there and it would help give her the strength to deliver her pups into a whole new world.

She watched Kateri who was keeping a further distance and had even thought to try getting her to come closer. In the end she figured if the girl wanted to be closer she would know that she was welcome to be.

The fact that Nash wasn't running out of the den panicked soothed Oksana's fears. She took that as a sign everything was going well and soon enough they would know the outcome of what was happening in the den.

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She had known it would be a faster delivery, she simply had not realize how fast it would be. It seemed like she had barely gotten Matos to her breast before another appeared, a daughter through the contractions. She mimicked the actions once more, cleaning the girl off from the delivery and placing her alongside her brother, ensuring a steady breathing and access to food that she would need in order to thrive. She had been careful in all regards this year.

Her husband continued his praise and for a moment she thought she was done, starting to relax as she leaned against him and murmured back to him about how beautiful their children were before another wave of pain ached through her body. Monatalia would not be stopped. She arrived the fastest after the pains started, and Aquene cleaned the girl off, bringing her once more to her breast as she stared down at their children, all matching their parents’ appearance. “They’re beautiful, Nash.” She offered softly, pride in her eyes. "What should we name them?"

Aquene Slayer

They had discussed how things would work during the birth, and everything seemed to be going smoothly - smoother than either had thought they would. Soon there was not one but two youngsters suckling, and before Nash could finish processing this, a third had joined them.

The whole litter. The whole litter made it. Nash was nearly dizzy with relief as he shuffled back around to nuzzle close to his wife and gaze down at their three beloved children. "They're beautiful," he murmured, and in that moment he knew he would love them above all else - except perhaps their mother.

Nash knew there were others waiting outside, so he promised he'd be right back and crawled from the den. Oksana and Kateri waiting a respectful distance back, but nobody else had arrived. Well, it had been a fast labor. He was sure the others would be there soon. He tiled his head back and howled the news to the sky. Three little ones. He grinned at his alpha and stepdaughter. "You can come meet them in a few minutes; let her rest a moment." he retreated back into the den and settled at his mate's side to admire their young.

They'd briefly discussed names, but they hadn't ever really settled on anything. "We should name the girls after our parents," he said. "Magg, and Monatalia." he places a kiss on each of their heads respectively, then looked to their firstborn. "What for our son, though?"

Our son, he repeated silently. I'm a father.