From the moment I'd met Royce, I knew I was in for some kind of a wild ride. Never would I have dreamed that I'd be where I was now. My sides ached, along with the length of my spine. My hips were a totally different story. I whined a lot of the nights, self medicating when I could, with a few simple herbs that would take away certain pains, or feelings. But that did nothing to keep my belly from growing more and more. I felt like my skin was on fire, and that I was about to burst. For such a small girl, these pups had caused my sides to expand like no other. Just this morning my brothers spoke about moving them and the others out of the den to give me more space. I was okay with that, except, I didn't want to be alone. I liked being cramped with them all, and I knew I wasn't being smart, because there had to be at least two or more pups within my belly, which meant the den was going to get even more crowded.

It was strange I had avoided my family for so long when I first came back, at the encouragement of Royce, that I felt they wouldn't welcome me, but now that they had, I didn't want to part from them. It hurt my heart thinking of not being close to them. But I knew that it was needed, we were all getting older, the young ones were getting older, and we needed more space. Hopefully Ber and Cade would find one closer to me than further away. I don't really want to deal with them far away from me.

I crawled out of the den, a large sigh falling from my lips. The pain in my hips was growing exponentially. Worse and worse every day. There had to be an end in sight, soon, I prayed. I paused as I cleared the mouth of the den, stretching as far as I would dare, before walking a few paces away towards the small stream. It wasn't right by the den, nor was it so far away I couldn't get to it. But it was a distance that made me feel safe, that the pups wouldn't be able to wander into it on their own and drown. I drank for a few minutes, lifting my head and letting the water drip off the edge of my chin. I groaned as I sat back on my haunches, closing my eyes as the pains spread across my back hips and lower back. Oh I couldn't wait for this to end.

I let the morning sun beat down on my light hide, feeling spring's fingers dancing across my back. It felt so good, knowing I had a home, and my babies would be born safe. But what would make the cake? If Royce was here with us. I was still more than unsure what this was exactly, but either way, it was good. He encouraged me to go home, while I would heal his wounds should he gather more. And together, we somehow had that bond where no matter what, I think we would always be there for each other, even if it weren't for the pups. But what that really meant, I was clueless.