She had eaten even more this time around. Her belly had swelled to epic proportions, well beyond what she had in previous winters. Andromeda was thrilled that she was carrying more life in her womb. She was well and fertile, and in a good pack that can take care of her. Azrael is a surprisingly wonderful mate, and an is the very heart of her soul. She knew they were meant to bear children that will enhance the bloodline of all wolves. So far, all of her children have been completely healthy. It was a blessing really, to have children unblemished. She knew the lines of her ancestors along with Azrael's was strong. She hoped the future star-children angels in her belly would be just the same, and she knew this time around, there was going to be more than two.

Andromeda was rather uncomfortable the last week of her pregnancy. Her belly was so large, that her paws were swollen from the extra weight upon them. She was a strong woman, with thick legs laced with muscle, and yet it was her own body that was pushing her to the limit. Today, Andromeda fidgeted outside the den, attempting to keep an eye on current children. It was hard to stay attentive, her yellow eyes flickering in irritation every now and then. Andromeda re-positions again, turning to lay on her side in an attempt to get comfortable. No success. Celeste is badgering her to do something about Guardian's dirty pelt, but her words fall on deaf ears. Something was changing on this day. She knew birthing time was close, but as she shifted her weight once again, she felt a contraction deep within. Andromeda's eyes opened wide. It was time.

"Celeste, dear, I cannot do his hair, he is a grown boy, and dear I want you to stay out here, Mommy is about to give birth to your new brothers or sisters." she said as gently as she could, looking at her daughter fondly. Sure, she was a little distracted with her discomfort, but she still wanted to give Celeste the attention she wanted. However, she could not in this moment. Andromeda's yellow eyes, bright like neon lasers, searches for the form of Azrael, her beloved mate and imprint.

"Azrael..." she says gently, before her thick form winces with pain as she lifts her form completely up. Upon swollen paws she walks into the den, where she has prepared fresh feather down for her birthing area. The dark female nestled in her den area, a slight whine escaping her muzzle as her contractions continue. She hoped for a good birth this time, like the last. He first birth was...dreadful. Just the thought of it makes her shiver. She didn't even have the strength to name her second son on that day. Andromeda closed her yellow eyes off to the world, and she sat and reminisced about the stories her father used to tell her about birthing and life, and how important it was to continue the line of star-children. If only his life back home wasn't in a war torn world...oh how she missed the culture of her homeland, especially in times like these. Her Father never got to see his grandchildren, and she wondered if he was even alive at this point.

The contractions start coming closer together. Andromeda winces as the pain starts to increase. Her eyes open, looking for Azrael to help calm her nerves. She wonder if Meryl will be here too. He has been at all of her births, and wished him to be at this one too. The boy is very important to her, and is her first son. A true role model for all of her children. Andromeda bites her lip as a sharp pain fills her body. The first puppy is coming. She pushes with all of her might, but the birth is slower than normal. This puppy is large, but she could have predicted that with how obscene her belly got this year. Andromeda continues her push, and with much pain and strain on her face, the first puppy is born. Immediately she turns her head around, grasping the puppy gently with her jaws and setting him between her front legs. Her mind is a bit dazed as she looks down upon him, her tongue removing all encasing. And yet, the puppy still remains rather red. He...he is not black or white like her last puppies. He has taken Azrael's angel marks, and became a russet red replica of herself. She smiles as she looks down upon him, seeing that he had gained the Crown of Stars that she so graced. He is meant to be a prince, a leader of his people.

"Mithos, bearer of the Star Crown. Born from the blood of Angels and Stars." she whispered gently, brushing his ears with her tongue once more before lifting him and placing the cinnamon boy down at her belly, right next to a ripe nipple ready for the taking.

She never had long to spend with her first borns. The pain from the contractions always came back in a rush, and yet it seems she had a bit longer of a moment to gaze down at her cinnamon son. She was still in pain, but the contractions were not as immediate as before. She wondered how long of a birth this would be...and how many puppies. She whines as she places her black muzzle next to Mithos, nudging him gently and giving him a lick before contractions come back in full swing. It is very painful, and Andromeda pants as exhaustion was already starting to creepy steadily upon her. It is a long while before the second puppy comes, and Andromeda does not get much relief afterwards. The second is born, and Andromeda teach him the same as her first born; gently grasping him and placing him between her front legs, and cleaning him. He is a dark charcoal, with a dark black on her muzzle and chest. With his own star marks on his chest! Her tail wagged weakly behind her, feeling a sting as she realizes there has been some tearing in the birthing process. It was no matter though, there was her son to attend to.

"Azrael, We should name him what you wanted, Zaphkiel? I think that would be nice...Yes, Zaphkiel, running with angels with stars on his heart..." she said with a smile, seeing his angel marked toes, and star-touched chest. He was a handsome boy, but she knew that he would desire food. She places him next to his brother, and allows him to feed. Two gorgeous, perfect puppies. This is where it had all stopped last time, but this was different. The contractions continued. Andromeda was already growing tired. Time seemed to pass so slowly with each jolt of pain, but looking at the new life she and Azrael created pulled her through it. This time though, Andromeda whines with the birth of her third puppy. She had torn on the second puppy, and it strung like wildfire. Birth was not a nice, lovely thing. It was a torture, really, a torture a mother goes through for her children. With a hushed scream the third puppy is born, and it takes a panting moment before Andromeda summons the energy to grasp her third daughter and place her between her legs, cleaning her until she seemed to sparkle. Yes, this girl of grey was marked with the stars like all of her children. She wore the reflection of stars; stars upon the back and top of the head.

"Elara, the one who shimmers and shines bright, showing the stars who they are. Yes, she is most beautiful, right Azrael?" she coos, flickering her tired yellow eyes from her daughter to Azrael. She found much comfort in him being at her side. He was there for every birth, keeping her soul warm and protected with every moment. Elara will lay with her brothers, near where she can access food at her belly. She will be left with a gentle lick, and an affectionate look that soon morphs into pain. Contractions again. They are not stopping. Does this mean?

"Azrael, I think...I think there is more. Azrael, there is four. There is four!" she said with a huff, excited and almost scared all at the same time. What had she gotten herself into? She clenches her jaws, time taking its toll as the birth of the last puppy is slow and tedious. She pushes and pushes, and after much pain and muffled screams, the very last is born. Andromeda weakly turns her head to grasp the last girl, and places her between her legs. Gently, almost too gently, she cleans the last girl. It is slower this time, exhaustion clearly on her still beautiful visage. The last one is a girl, white with auburn on her back. She, too, holds the mark of reflection on her back, intermixed with the mark of angels. A true reminder to all.

"She is sweet, like Ambrosia, and that will be her calling....yes..." she said in but a whisper, nudging the puppy with her wet black nose. She was exhausted. The tiredness was painted all across her form. It was not as bad as her first birth, but she was nearing that point. With her last ounce of strength, Andromeda lifted her last baby girl to place her by her belly. Her head couldn't even make it back to her paws, laying gently by the forms of her new children. Her yellow eyes would search for her soul, blinking a few times before drifting off into slumber. Her body needed to rest, to heal. She needed all the strength she could get to keep her puppies healthy and happy. Deep inside, she was calm and happy. All is well on this day, for today new life is made.


Nine Years - Soul of Azrael - Mother of Meryl, Starfall, Guardian, Celeste, Iophiel, Mithos, Zaphkiel, Elara, Ambrosia