Dead Empress Backwater The way it should be

This is Sharlee's birthing thread. Any of the backwater wolves are welcome to come and support but special mention to @Reade.

Sharlee had been staying as close to backwater territory as age could. Her sides had swollen to the point that she was afraid she was going to burst before the puppies arrived. The tawny woman was nervous about becoming a mother and in disbelief that finally it was happening for her and their father wasn't just some stranger but a man she had deep feelings for. The only thing she could ask for now was that all of her children would be born healthy.

Weeks ago Sharlee had found a place for her den that was in a quiet place of the territory but not far from the rest of the family. She wanted then to be able to visit their new members. Over the following weeks she'd spent a lot of time preparing the den for the arrival. As the days of their birth grew closer she didn't leave the den or the area outside of it for very long.

When the day finally arrived Sharlee noticed that something felt different but she didn't pay it much mind. Most of the morning was spent napping in a sunny spot outside her den. Mid afternoon came when she felt the first contraction. It was painful but a clear sign she needed to get into her den. She rose to her paws as quickly as her large abdomen would allow before slipping I to the depths of the birthing den. "Reade," she called, "Its time," she added as another contraction hit her causing the pain to seep into her voice as she spoke.

Laying there in the darkness the contractions came and went for what seemed like hours. Then from instinct she felt her body start to push and moments  and plenty of pushing later a dark tawny bundle appeared. Sharlee didn't have to be told what to do. She quickly set to work getting the pup cleaned up amd pressed against her stomach. It was a boy and he was quick to latch on and start nursing. "Its a boy."

There wasn't much time after that as it became clear that she wasn't done yet. More contractions came and went. The time between the contractions and when she started to push seemed short and soon enough a lighter colored puppy entered the world. Sharlee cleaned her quickly like she had the first pup. This one was a girl which she announced to Reade just before moving the girl next to her brother.

The Valle woman was allowed a short rest in which she thought that there weren't anymore coming. Then suddenly her body was contracting again in preparation to bring another pup into the world. Sharlee was tired by this time but she pushed as hard as she could and soon she had another pup, a boy to clean off. Once he was dried and snuggled against her and his siblings she called out to Reade though her voice was weak from the exertion. "We have another son."

After that she took a deep breath before resting her head on her paws. Something inside her told her that there wouldn't be anymore puppies coming that year.

He had been periodically checking in on both Sharlee and Clover for the past few weeks, wanting to be present at least in some capacity to ensure he would have timely access to his grandchildren. By the time he arrived at Sharlee's den it seemed things had already progressed, and he silently sat outside the den for the hours it took, taking a guard position and looking out towards the forest.

His ears turn back to catch what Sharlee was saying each time she spoke, a sense of pride (though more self-centred than anything) filling him at the knowledge of two grandsons and one granddaughter. Between Vayko and Sharlee he had a large number of young ones to pass on his bloodline.

Rochus briefly turned his head to glance at the mouth of the den as everything became quieter, unsure if the birthing process was completed or simply on hold. But he wouldn't move closer unless specifically asked to, knowing that new mothers could be quite vicious if provoked.