Spring was upon them in full bloom. All around her life was once more in the forest. Birds twittered in the trees above them, their unchained melodies normally a pleasing song in her ears but today an nuisance in her head. For some reason her head ached, the bone splitting pounding only increased by the incessant non stop twittering. Irritatingly, the tip of her silver white tail flicks as she turns her icy silver blue eyes up to the branches above her. Here and there the birds flit from branch to branch, causing the smaller branches to dip and sway with the sudden change of weight.

She had hoped that the fierceness in her gaze would cause the creatures to cease their spring induced song but it seemed as though her solid gaze has little affect upon them. Blackened lips pull back as a silent snarl works its way upon her finely shaped features and with a snort of distain the pup swollen huntress heaves herself to her feet and moves off, hoping the distance between herself and the birds might lessen the pressure within her brain.

She could not explain it, but as of lately, she just could not get comfortable. Perhaps it was the expanded swell of her swollen belly, or maybe the pups that seemed to constantly move and kick within her these days, maybe it was even the scent of the other female that tended to cling to Dexter's coat when he disappeared from her side for hours at a time. The latter bugged her, perhaps more than she cared to admit because she had truly grown in her feelings for him. It was true that from the start they had flirted, but it had all been harmless and playful even... when it had changed into something more, something deeper... she doubted that she would ever be able to determine. None the less, it had happened. She caught the other wolfess's scent on him during winter, when she had given herself to him freely without a second thought or concern to the consequences. She wanted him and him alone. There was just something about him, something that spoke louder to her heart than the soul that beat within calling to her imprint Thor. He was different and somehow she felt safe with him. A safety and sense of purpose and home that only came in the company of the brilliant jade eyed Dexter.

A soft smile curves across her lips now as she thinks about him. Deep within her chest, her heart flutters and the pups in her womb move, a reminder that even when he is gone, where ever it was that he disappeared too, he was with her. No matter what happened, she had the memories of their time together, the unexplainable joy and pleasure her heart felt in his company, in the shared look in his eyes... the affection and love that mirrored in her own. It didn't matter what he did or where he went, she was his. Of that she resolved within her heart.

However, a sudden sharp pain hits her, drawing her breath in sharp and causing her to stop suddenly in her steps. It gripped her swollen barrel and washed over every fiber and inch and muscle in her body. Her jaws part as a voiceless scream resonates from her lungs as the agony leaves her breathless, her lithe, swollen limbs spread wide to brace her, to keep her upright.

Then as suddenly as it hits, it vanishes, leaving her breathless and weak. Confusion dances across her silver blue eyes as her ears swivel curiously atop her head, unsure of what was going on. Fear gripped her as she turned to look at her swollen barrel, fearing that something might be wrong with the pups. For a single breath she is still, listening, waiting... feeling... searching to ensure their safety... and in that moment, it felt as though eternity was passing around her... passing through her.

And then they moved. A heavy sigh of relief flooded through her as she released the heavy breathe she didn't know she had been holding. They were alive. Their hearts still beat within her womb.

But it is there again, the sudden sharp pain, the pain that she feels through every single piece of fur that cloaks her body, her muscles tensing subconsciously. It is then that she knows, that she understands. Labor. Or at least she hopes it is... that would explain it.

She had never witnessed another giving birth, never dared to venture into the den with another was whelping their pups but she knew that this must be why the mothers so swollen and fat with pups returned to their dens or stayed so close... she needed to get to the den.

As the pain subsides again, she takes a single slow timid step, and then another, testing the ability of her body to hold up her weight and progress as slowly and surely as possible towards the den. She had not traveled far from the den, of that she was suddenly grateful. When first she had felt confined and chained to the cool dry den and the dotting, concerned voice of Dexter, now, she was grateful.

The journey to the den was a slow one. Often times, she had to pause, often midstep as the ripple of pain washed over her, cutting off her breathe and leaving her weak and shaking in its wake. Her entire body was both feverishly cold and hot in the same moment, the painful headache that had been splitting her head earlier, a mild irritation now, a focal point for her now, something to focus on when the pain in her belly was at its worse.

It seems like hours that it takes her to walk the short distance from where she rested beneath the sprawling Beech tree to her den hidden beneath the exposed roots and granite boulders. A soft whimper escapes her as she enters to find it empty, the faint scent of Dexter the only reminded that only hours ago she had left him sleeping peacefully in the far corner. He had been so tired lately, weary from whatever it was that kept him so busy. Surely worrying over herself and the other wolfess was hard, especially when Talien was so swollen with his pups.

Her back tipped ears flicker backwards now as worry and fear begins to grip her again. She had hoped he would be here, hoped his emerald green eyes so full of concern and worry would grasp the fear that gripped her own and in truth hoped to simply feel him next to her, feel the comfort and reassurance of his touch... his scent... his warmth.

He will be back soon....soon... she breathes to herself, pacing back and forth nervously across the sandy floor. She can feel the pups move again, their feet or heads butting against her ribs and leaving her breathless once more as the pain grips her.

This time, she lets herself crumble to the softened sands, the cool ground soothing the fire that burns in her belly. She pants heavily now as her legs gather beneath her and she strains. Again and again she strains, responding to her body's urge to push. Sweat dampens her silver white coat now, turning it into the deep gray of her undercoat as the first of the pups, wet with blood and birthing mucus, slips from her and falls onto the soft earth with a pitiful mewling and whimper.

Instinct overcomes her now as suddenly the urge to protect and care for the tiny creature overcomes her. She moves quickly, gingerly picking the tiny bundle up and settling it at her side, her rough, pink tongue working quickly to clean and dry the pup from the residue of birth that covers it.

She stares down at it, a male.... a son. A loving smile curves across her lips as she reaches forward to nuzzle the tiny bundle, his cream and brown coat a clear reminder of his father. He latches vigorously onto her teat and begins to suckle hungrily. Fascination dances in her eyes as she watches the tiny pup... her miracle. She had all but forgotten the pain, the weakness in her body.. instead she feels nothing but fascination.

That is... until it hits her again. Pain once more ripples through her, coursing through her thrumming veins. She pants desperately again, as the urge to push overcomes her.

The times passes slowly, an hour maybe two passes after the first tiny pup is born, nestled carefully at her belly before the second makes her appearance. Even from the start, wrapped in blood and mucusing afterbirth, she is different... a stark contrast to her brother. "Lixue" she breathes, her voice shaking as she nuzzles the tiny drappa, a mirror image of her own grandmother who has so long been departed from this lifetime. Just as gingerly as with the first, Talien carefully lifts her pale daughter and settles her down easily beside her brother.

The pain subsides, slowly but none the less she is overcome with weariness and bloodloss. Weakly she settles her head back onto the sands, carefully stretching herself out to allow the pups easier access to her milk swollen teats. Blood pools at her tail, the aftermath of the long drawn out birth but none the less she is happy. A soft smile curves across her lips as slowly she lets her silver blue eyes close, her body still shuddering beneath the pain of afterbirth.