unable to bind.mated to none.father to Eztli, Lixue, Petra, Citlalli, & Itzel.Taviora

Spring was certainly here and he was feeling the changes that go along with it. He was a little older now but he didn't really feel old, per say. His muscles still moved smoothly and without crackles and pops. His eyesight was still keen and his hearing was still sharp. He could still get up without groaning, and yet somehow he knew that some day, that wouldn't be the case. A part of him almost feared the thought of not being able to do the things he did without groaning and aching. It gave him a whole new admiration of his own father, Coza. Surely he experienced these discomforts and yet he never gave a word of complaint. He never remembered his mother Moth complaining either. They were both so graceful with age. He could only hope to be half as graceful himself. And yet he had bigger problems to worry about this season. Tuari had already given birth to three healthy pups and he could feel it in the air. Talien would be soon as well. He was excited but at the same time, he was dreading them finding out about the other. Surely Talien would see the pup with his same green eyes and know that she was his. Surely Tuari would see the coat colors of Talien's pups and know that he had something to do with it. It was only a matter of time and he knew he would be in trouble. He felt bad every day for it but he knew there was nothing he could do about it now but live up to his actions and be the best father he could be for them, all five of them.

Talien had been moving around more as of late and he wondered if she was getting close to her birth date. He remembered recently that Tuari did the same right before giving birth. She was restless and irritated. He took all the extra snaps and glares from both females in full stride, knowing it was because of him that they were both in this situation to begin with and he would not abandon them. They needed him and he needed them. He cared about both females so much that it hurt to know that he had hurt them and they didn't even know yet. He wanted to tell them but he didn't want to stress the new mother, Tuari, or the soon to be mother, Talien. He didn't want to be the reason she went into an early labor and lost the pups or something. That would be devastating and he would never forgive himself. Leave it to him to jump to worst case scenarios. It was just his state of mind. He knew that what he and Talien had was stronger than it had started as. She was no longer just the female he flirted with and brought home to Taviora. He felt comfortable with her and felt that he could share stories with her about his family and friends. He wanted her to be a part of his life.

Tuari was his very best friend and she alone knew his secrets about what he did in the shadows. She never judged him for it and he could not ask for a more true friend. He knew he cared about her sometimes more than a friend should but he couldn't help his protective instinct over her. They had grown up together practically and she had always been there for him when he needed her. Now he was there for her when she needed and feelings had developed from it. Now he had two families to take care of but soon they would start asking questions. Soon the miracle of giving birth would wear off and he would have two angry females jumping down his neck demanding answers for his actions. He dreaded that day like the plague. But the fresh scent of Talien clinging to a tree nearby distracted him and he scowled. Why wasn't she at the den she had picked out? Surely she shouldn't be out wandering the woods so close to giving birth. He didn't believe so anyway. His eyes narrowed in determination as he set a course along the trail, tracking her as he would a deer or wolf. He needed to find her and bring her back safely to the den so she could rest. Both females were definitely hard headed in their resistance to stay in the den during this time.

He soon found her paw prints in the dirt and he paused to stare at them, a glitter of affection in his eyes as he admired the smaller prints. With her silver coat and ice blue eyes, she looked so dainty and fragile but Talien proved time and again that she was anything but. She was witty and smart and durable. She was determined and head strong and full of fire. But the paw prints were changing, the dirt messed up in places like she had suddenly braced herself or set her paws wider, divits in the dirt even like her claws had dug in. Like she was in pain. His eyes widened and he lifted his head, sniffing the air. And then he caught the smell. He knew it now from his time with Tuari during this. It was the smell of blood and pain, labor. A shiver rolled down his spine as he picked up the pace, eager to find her and get her to safety. Luckily it seemed like her trail was leading back to the den and he only hoped she would make it there or he would find her and get her there before pups started popping out. Soon enough the den entrance is in view and he is relieved to smell her trail going into it. So she made it here. Good.

He could just make out her silhouette pacing just inside and he bolted, taking off, the urgent need to be near her and reassure her and let her know he was here overcoming him. Just as he's about to reach her, she crumbled to the floor of the den and he whimpered, his eyes widening as he rushed to her side and lifted her head to lay it gently on his paws, licking and nuzzling her cheek and ears.

"It's okay, Talien. I'm here. You can do this."

He watched her strain and push, knowing now that this was how it happened. This was how he himself had come into this word. He didn't envy females at all for this part of the rap. As the first pup came out, he gasped in excitement, watching it wiggle and whine as Talien reached over to clean it. She seemed to have more strength in her than Tuari during this but he knew that each birth could be different. There were probably complications with Tuari's birthing and he blamed himself for that. The first pup was a boy and he felt his chest swell with pride, noting the loving look in her eyes as she started to push again. He wondered how many times she would have to endure this, remembering all too well the look of pure exhaustion in Tuari's eyes every time she felt another push. But he continued to whisper encouragement into Talien's ear, grooming her and assuring her that he was here. He watched the other pup nurse until he heard the sound of another pup hitting the ground. Talien cleaned it gently and he heard the name fall sweetly from her lips as she looked at her new daughter. She was quite beautiful but he believed all his children to be perfect and above all in beauty and intelligence.

He smiled and watched her set the girl next to her brother, both nursing now as he watched, mesmerized. But then the strong smell of blood hit him and he remembered that Talien needed him. Or rather, she needed a healer. He didn't know enough about herbs that helped to know what he was doing so as she closed her eyes and gave into her exhaustion, he knew that he needed to call someone. In this moment, he didn't care that the same healer might come, that they would see him as a player for being with two females during birthing season. All he cared about right now was that they got the help they deserved. He gently moved her head from his paws so that he could get up and move to the entrance, throwing his head back to call for a healer before he started pacing while he waited.