Eight - Mistletoe's Beloved - Glorall
Father of Levi, Enya, and Ravenna

It had been a rough winter; oh the joys of mating had been wonderful, compounded by the fact that he loved Mistletoe with his heart and soul. Whatever fate had decided for his life she was the most important of all, the greatest gift to his savage soul. Before her he had been a wild animal that gave in only to the basic needs of his body. His soul goal had been survival even though he had traced his sister's path everywhere she went. He had been.. unstable back then. He had lashed out at Natu when she had tried to bridge some of the gap between them just because he had never desired another's company or touch. Mistletoe had changed that about him so much that it was so difficult to separate himself from her. Still he did so more and more once they came to Glorall because they would both eventually be called upon to make their way in this home.

However, as Mistletoe began to bloom outward and their children filled out her hips and belly he never strayed too far. It was almost painful to watch the changes in her and the way she grew tired easily but also confined due to her condition. Warlow did not complain - why could he? He had done this to her body. He would never forgive himself, however, if she did not make it through the birthing process. So as the time drew nearer he stuck like a burr to her side and only wandered away to fetch food for them both.

Today was no different. He can see the message hidden in her emerald eyes. She tried so hard to keep a brave, strong face before him but she didn't have to. As she licked his head Warlow closed his eyes and dipped his head in closer to enjoy their closeness. She would be a wonderful mother. Even now in her discomfort she tried to comfort him. But would he be a good father? It was true, Warlow was not the most sociable. If it wasn't for his Mistletoe he wouldn't have known about such intense feelings that lay within him. He'd be back to ravaging wild animals and leaving a vicious mark on this world.

It doesn't matter though. They are coming whether or not he is prepared. His ears prick at her words and before long she is collapsing from the same spasms she has tried so hard to hide. Immediately his large body shoots up and paces around her; his ears flatten then prick then flatten again as he watches her pain in irritation. There is nothing he can do. He knows it but it drives the darkness within him - if someone came around they would most likely be chased off by his fangs and claws. She was so small! Too small for this! What had he been thinking to give in to her wants? To make her happy of course. Always he would make his beloved happy.

His pacing slows, stops, and his ears prick once more in amazement at the little boy she pulls to her belly - a son. He has a son! His yellowed eyes are like saucers, wild and uncertain. It is her bark of pain that once more sends him into a spiral of nerves. He rushes to her face and licks her cheek, catching her panting breath on his face. "Shh, it'll be over soon. There cannot be but another in there." Then again his son was a tiny little creature. He worries, suddenly, if the boy will make it. Then she is pulling another pup up, her body fast weakening and he leans in to push his muzzle against the hind end of their newborn daughter to ease the pressure from his mate's paws. She had a white head and a mixture of all their colors.

He is overwhelmed by a sense of completion as he looks upon his family and shares a happy smile with Mistletoe. Then she begins again with her contractions and the pain she feels... their bond amplifies. He feels as if he is falling over the edge of sanity as he snarls and paces around her. He is helpless to ease her suffering. Why wasn't this over? Was she dying? NO! She could NOT leave him! A growl rips from his chest, anguished, and is followed by a whimper as he once more darts forward to nuzzle her trembling head. And then another girl is brought forth. She most certainly resembles his sister - Natu would be thrilled.

Now she was finally done. The pressure in his chest eased and he stepped towards their children once more, leaning down to lick their damp fur and nudge Levi back in with his sisters. "You did so good, my love," he whispers to Mistletoe before nuzzling her and then each of the three children, getting a good sniff from him.

*RAVENNA*
A birth is an awakening and the moment her little head is released into this cooler world she cries out as if her body has been electrocuted and brought back to life. Where is the warmth? Where is the contentment? It is not long when she feels something dragging her forward but she does not struggle for instinctively she knows this is heartbeat that she has come to love. It is that of her mother - a primordial bond that could never be severed. Pressed up against her scalding flesh and swollen nipples, Ravenna begins to drink from her mother, eager to fill herself up with the warmth once more.

She feels another creature climbing over her, pushing and struggling against her, and a growl of displeasure racks her tiny little figure. Already their relationship has begun on a level of annoyance - a feeling that would grow as they both grew. He pushed her off her mother's nipple but only when she was done drinking and tired of his struggles. He'd get it when she felt like it, no sooner. Such is how she would treat him growing up.

Ravenna follows the curvature of her mother's ribcage up between Mistletoe's legs and buries her head into the curve of her mother's neck. The fur is so warm, so inviting, and she curls up and falls to sleep.