What was he going to do? He could not remember a single useful thing from watching the Healers of Trenus so long ago. Then again, he did not know how bad his soul's wounds were, not truly at least. All he did know is that there was blood, a lot of it, and that was seldom a good thing - he figured it was the case with birthing, too. Her snarl, too, had alerted him of something not quite right though their children fast proved themselves to be the reason behind such a display of aggression. Even after just a glimpse, he knew he would be intent on keeping them absolutely safe. Still, to hear such a sound come from the woman he had dedicated his very being to stung him, a sharp pain that caused him to whine beneath his breath. Even as she dropped the facade, he met her eyes with his ears flattened back and tail waving nervously behind him. The only wolf permitted to see him some vulnerable.

Eventually he was able to enter, and he shifted his weight around his mate, face alight with a broad, adoring smile. Beneath her they squirmed, not two but three children. He continued to count them, checking over and over before it sunk in - three. He had not expected so many and he felt a flush of worry; would he be able to keep them all safe? Such a moment was short lived as the answer came quicker than ever - of course he would. He didn't have a choice in the matter. He reached out, licking his mate along her muzzle before he lowered his nose to his children - in turn, he nudged each one, amazed by their strange movements and sounds.

Daughters.

All daughters.

No, he thought to himself, his eyes narrowed as the images of so many males flashed before his mind's eye. He had to keep them all away from their daughters. They were each beautiful, unique in their own ways and each one so exceptionally healthy. He was chuffed, his face quickly returning to its previous pride. Yes, three beautiful daughters - of course. Had he ever expected less? Though, he would have liked a son if not only for the additional male company. All the while, Caligula took to the rabbits but not before he could notice the tremble of her legs, the blood that ran down her. His heartbeat took off, a thrumming that threatened to break through his very rib cage.

"Rest, my love. Do you need me to find help? I can, I can find you a Healer - anything you need."

He dared not let her threaten her own health and as she moved to shift the children, he aided her, picking up and replacing the russet child with the others. She could plant her teeth in him as many times she wanted but it would not stop him; if she persisted in wanting to move about, he would damn well sit atop her to stop her from doing such a thing. Once he was positive she was going to heed his silent warnings, he would wrap himself about her and their children. With them he would provide all - food, territory, even his warmth. Right now, it was all he could do.

"We need names, how about..."

He nudged at the firstborn, the russet child that squeaked in protest of his touch. "Cersei -" and then he moved on to the second, she so much like Caligula, "Maradona - and finally, the perfect inversion of himself, "Octavia."

With any luck, he would have picked correctly, appropriately even. Hopefully, he would see her smile once more.

T E S S E R A C T
[ five - soul of caligula ]