Winter had passed. My belly had grown. Now, the cold if winter has melted away and I have grown restless. I am bringing more lift into this world that is my own. One last time, I am sure. Covet no longer exists in this world. I felt it a while ago. I do not feel down about this. It is just another to be absorbed back into the earth. I had taken what I needed just to start the growth within me, and now that growth was coming into full bloom.

I had my den in my own area, covered by trees and shrouded in darkness. I choose not to live close to the ocean. There is no place to linger there, and I would forever be exposed. I choose an area that is hidden, and I have carved it out to perfection among the roots of a large tree. I am making a round, watching for any threats upon my son's land. I know one threatened recently, but he put them to rest for now. I do not find anything particularly...telling on this day, but as my grey paws twist to avoid foliage I feel a sensation I have not felt for many years.

I know that it is time for my own to make their entrance into this world. I pause, and allow my muzzle to lift for a single howl. It is a call for two wolves only- Eden and Ayal. They know where my den is, and they will know what the call means as I head to the entrance of my den once more.

As I walk, I feel a sharp pain and an uneasiness. I narrow my copper eyes. I know that I have to sacrifice myself for this birth. I know my age is coming in time, and that I must put forth much energy to ensure they are the best. This pain is just the beginning. I know it is not like my last birth. With an irritated face, I lift my muzzle once more to Ayal and Eden, before descending into the depths of my lair.

I lay on the cool dark earth, my face looking towards the mouth of my den a distance away. There is enough room for two or so other wolves, but not the lizard that wiggles its way into my lair, violating my space and causing my jaws to lash out. I crush its small form, feeling the slight twitch of life free itself until quickly it is limp. I throw it to the side as I feel the intense feelings of labor.

It is long. It is not pleasant but I deal with it. I stare forward, even if my son and daughter join me, I will continue to look forward with a great blank intensity. I feel the urge to push and I do. I am to bring life into this world, life that is of me and I growl as I finally get the first pup free from myself. I place him next to my belly, cleaning him up enough until the next wave of pain and contractions come.

It takes time, this little. They are not wanting to leave so easily. There is much time between the first and second pup. I find it rather irritating. I shift, ignoring the first pup as I concentrate on the birth. After a while, the second one finally moves to the point where I push, teeth exposed due to the pain as springs forth from me. I nab the female, licking her clean as I inspect her next to my belly. I am always pleased with birthing more females, and I nudge her gently to ensure that she moves before I am distracted once more by the coming of the third pup.

This pup took less time to urge me to push, but as I do push, I know something is not right. I feel my tongue fall slightly out of my mouth as exhaustion begins to set in. this pup is not wanting to move out of me. I feel a growl once more surfacing on my tongue. I move positions, adjusting my legs, trying to find some position that will work. A new position does see the pup further along, but it is still difficult, and taking too much time. I feel the pup exit slightly, but not all the way. I snarl in irritation, my eyes furious that he dare defy me so early.

"You will get out, now," I say viciously in Latin. I look back, reaching to my backside as I feel only a part of him out, his back left paw, and I roughly assist him with my jaws. I push and I pull, until he is completely freed. I huff as I breath deeply and quickly. I drag him to my belly, irritated with him as I nose him and his deformed paw in displeasure. I do not know if I caused this or not. I had to pull him free, or he would surely be dead, but did I deform his paw as well in the process?

I barely have time to dwell, or even think, as the smell of blood is more potent than my last birth. I feel my head almost spinning and getting light. I turn to see the blood behind me, and looking back down at the pup that dare defy me. I barely have energy to scold him right now, and my body contracts and tells me there is even more.

I lay my head down on my paws, my eyes closing as I gather my strength. I know that I must put my all into children, but the smell of blood is thick in the air and this last pup threatens to steal my breath. I smirk at the thought, that I would give my last child my very life. Psh, she would hope. I gather the last of my strength, despite my spinning head, and I deliver her into the world with a fierce battle cry. I only have enough strength for my head to swing back to pull away any of myself from her and to lick her airways clean before dragging her to my belly. I feel my head grow heavy as I do so, and I feel my eyes wanting to fall closed. I growl deeply as my eyes flutter and my head falls onto the ground suddenly. I cannot say what will happen next...as I am engulfed in blackness.