The past season had been spent comfortably. Her den up in the mountains had been warmed from winter's cold embrace by the heat of another, and she couldn't have been more content. Roman, true to his nature, had provided for her as her body changed and hunting became more difficult and dangerous. They had no expectations of each other and it was soothing to know that someone loved her wholly. Perhaps she would not be his only love but she had no problems with that. She recognized that it was simply how he operated and for that fact alone she knew that she would never hold him to the standards of being a dutiful mate. They loved each other, in a way that was perhaps strange to some, but Morrigan was happy.

And so today, with her stomach heavy with pups, she wandered through the mountains of Spirane, with no real destination in mind. It had been odd to lose her nimbleness, she was clumsier and heavier and as spring began she asked herself every morning if today would be the day. But it had not happened yet. Morrigan was about done with being pregnant, with its endless hunger and terrible mood swings. She eagerly awaited the birth of her children, mostly because she was excited to meet them but also because she desired to be able to do things for herself again.

She wasn't sure how many lives grew inside of her, but she knew that she had enough love to give them all. She would not let herself fail as a parent, she would protect their lives with all that she had. Her parents had been taken from her at a young age, and she would not let that happen to her pups. They would come into the world with love and they would be loved for as long as she stood on four paws.

She looked towards the sky as rain began to fall, but yet she continued to meander through the mountain trails. Suddenly something out-of-place crossed her nose. Morrigan's nose twitched as the scent of a wolf- a pup- filled her nostrils. A feeling passed over her that had never done so before. Maternal instinct. She broke into a swift trot, following the scent trail before spying the girl lying alone in the mud. Her brow creased in concern and she slowed, approaching cautiously but with evident concern.

"Are you okay, kid?" She asked softly, unwilling to make physical contact quite yet but wondering what such a young pup was doing out here all by herself. "Where are your parents? Come on, stand up, out of the mud." The command was gentle, coaxing, and Morrigan felt rather out of her element. Where had this soft side come from?