New Life

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma had finished the den a little after speaking with Glycerine. She'd taken a rest before that, that "rest" managing to last the whole night. She awoke with a pleasurable yawn and went to see the morning view. Then she set into the den again, feeling her clock slowly ticking down. By mid-morning, the den was done. She checked every inch and finally deemed it satisfactory.

She emerged from the den to hear the spring birds singing, and she shook herself. Dirt sprang into the air and she laughed. The silver fem walked to the pool and stepped into it. It covered her dirt-stained paws and slowly began to wash away the filth. She knew she wouldn't be able to enter her den again until her paws were dry if she expected this to make any difference and decided to dive in the pool.

She let the cold water wash over her body, and she felt the pups squirming in her belly from the cold. It's alright little ones. Just a quick bath for Momma, then we'll be out. Her softly whispered words seemed to calm her children, and they settled down for the most part. Much to the pup's relief she soon emerged from the pool and found a nice sunny spot to stretch out.

Her morning activities had proven enough to wear her down. Normally it took a lot more to take the spunk from the silver fem...but when she carried a few heavy pups...well...they seemed to steal some of her spunk to kick out at her. Her lids lowered over yellow orbs, and she slept.

A sharp pain awoke her, and she gasped. Her hair stood, and she jumped to her paws. This only sent another tremor tearing through her belly, and she glanced around. Her teeth were bared against the pain and it took her a moment to realize her surroundings. It looked to be more-or-less noon. She felt her stomach give another tremor, and a smile graced her face through the sensation.

They come. She muttered, she tried to raise her skull to the heavens. To call to her lovely mate. She wondered why he hadn't come yet, but then again, he didn't know where she was. Not only that, he'd been border-marking. Her head was jerked back down by another shudder through her abdomen.

No time. Oh Cass, my love, I am sorry. She trot quickly to her den, and straight to the back where she would wait for her pups to arrive. The delivery took a while, thanks to the particularly large first born. The second came much easier, and Luma knew that these two would be her and Cass's only children. She cleaned the softly squeaking pups, and settled them at her side to nurse.

Two boys, my dear Cass. Two boys are here for you. She nursed the newborns until they slumbered, and then extracted herself. The wailed their protests, but she ignored them, to reach the front of her den. She let only her shoulders out, and she called to the Mountains and their pale protector. To her protector and all of their clan.

The Alpha cubs have arrived. Come, see your new brethren. She then drew her head back in and raced to warm her tiny darlings. Mother's here, my sweets. Daddy will arrive soon. Shush now loves. Sleep for Mummy.

(OOC: Luma kinda went ahead in time, so we'll need to work that out. Complete the hunt first, then Cass will get to hunt and perhaps start toward Luma and not reach her until after she's given birth? Is that all right with everyone? Kaz?)

[Kaziph]

He ambled along without much energy guiding his steps. His pace was uneven, but it did not falter. It would take a winter storm to keep him from reaching Luma now, and thoughts of the days and months pressed gently against his mind. The lush grasses of the meadows, beautiful now in spring, reached out and touched his muzzle, tickling him, threatening to make him sneeze and drop the cargo he carried. None of that, now.

The brute had heard her call, and it made his paws move all the quicker. Yet still he found he couldn't quiet bound along with the same energy as before, and ever more he thought of the future. Now, though, the future for him was his cubs, meeting his newest children. He hoped, sincerely, that they were healthy and that all had gone well during their delivery.

Cassiel came upon the place without thought, and when he brought his eyes up from the ground and contemplation, a smile lit his old features. It's perfect. Luma had chosen well. Aisha's scent, too, was close by.

He closed the distance between himself and the impression in the earth where his mate's scent was strongest. There, mixed with her own, were the smells of pups, of two distinct new individuals. It made him whine his joy through his mouthful of meat.

Luma, my dear, I have for you nourishment. Might I meet our young? He wondered what she had named them, and whether the rest of the clan would be as proud as he was in that moment. Just like he had been with the others… and Epitaph.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma was brought out of her nap by the sound of paw on the ground. Her ears shot toward the entrance and she bared her ivory daggers. A growl began in her throat before the beast was even at the entrance to her den. Then, the scent hit her and his sweet voice poured through the opening. Oh, my love. You are here! She rose to her paws, and the little fur balls at her side whimpered their protest again. She only smiled, and walked to the exit of the den.

She buried her head in Cassiel's mane as soon as she was close enough. Oh, my love. They are beautiful. You have fathered two new sons, strong and healthy. She ducked back inside the den, and returned to her pups. Her stomach snarled at the scent of the meat her great white angel carried. She gentled picked up the bigger of the two, the first born and carried him so that Cassiel may view him.

She lay him right inside the entrance, her instincts making her wish to growl her mate away. She knew their were Father wolves who would devour their young, and it was something built in for her to be weary of her brute with the fragile life still so new. She shook it off, for Cassiel was no more a threat to any of his children then the grass was to a bear. She settled the pup down, and noted how engorged with milk he was. The meat called to her again, reminding her she would have no milk for her darlings if she did not eat herself.

She ignored it once more, for the pups were more important to her and once again returned to the back of the den. She plucked the other little brute up, and lay him down beside his brother. The sun shone through the entrance and Luma smiled upon her work. Here they are, my love. They came mostly without a fuss, though, the larger one was a bit difficult at first. The second came more peacefully. She chuckled. Aren't they beautiful? She turned her yellow orbs upon her mate, beaming with pride.

The larger I have dubbed Jerrico, the peaceful second born I've named Gabriel. She couldn't help but let her orbs trail to the meat hanging from Cassiel's jaws. Her stomach gave an audible growl, and the pups flinched. Luma's tail sunk in embarrassment and she smiled apologetically at her mate. She gave both the pups a lick to reassure them, for they were meeting one of the only other wolves who could match Luma's love for them. Say hello, dear.

[Kaziph]

Cassiel met Luma's nuzzle one of his own, managing to get bloody bits of meat upon both of them before he had enough sense to drop his burden before her at the entrance to the den. He felt her tenseness, the soft growl that lurked just out of hearing which all mother wolves carried about them while their young were still so new. Yet he too knew the sensation, but it manifested itself in a different way. She was, perhaps, the only one he wouldn't be growling at about them for approaching. He'd be a fool to, after all.

Two sons. He beamed at his mate, for his voice hadn't come to him yet. It was lingering out of his reach, for emotions clouded his mind. She brought them out, then, and he saw for the first time the last cubs he would ever bare. The moment took him by surprise, and the old wolf looked away, a choked <i>gruff</i> in his throat. Of all the things he loved in life, he loved most of all being a father to his children. Above even the love he held for his mates, this was something deeper and more primal. These two little beings were a part of him, and one was his image in youthful form again.

The white wolf stepped forward and touched each cub gently upon the head, licking them lovingly. My children, my dears, welcome to the Kameskai.
Welcome home. His ears swiveled to the sides in a relaxed position as he looked back up to their mother, a smile upon his still handsome face. They are gorgeous, and their names suit them well. Jerrico and Gabriel.

He heard her stomach growing at him then, but he didn't smirk at her. Instead it concerned him, and he leaned down to push the meat he had brought for her closer. She would have to keep well fed if she was to give enough milk to her young. Their young.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma smiled at her mate and lay herself beside the two pups. There was just enough room for the three and Luma snatched the meat hungrily. She tore and ripped at it until it had disappeared down her gullet and left her feeling better. The cubs had begun to nurse again, and she licked at her paws and her face.

A smile was given to Cassiel, her yellow orbs brighter from having eaten. She glanced to the side, where the other pack members would come from. Her orbs took on a troubled look, replacing the joyful one and she looked into the deep brown orbs of her mate. They enveloped her with warmth and love and she sighed, feeling complete. They did nothing to remove the look from her eyes, however.

The others will come won't they? Do you think Basile and Beryl will hate their kin? I will not like it if they hate me...but I would rather them dislike me then Gabriel and Jerrico. She gave her two a loving lick. I have loved all of your children, my love. Whether I am their Mother or not. I've always loved them all. It hurts to think of their distaste for me, but I can understand and accept it. Surely not their kin, though?

[Kaziph]

Cassiel laid down as Luma ate and still kept his eyes on the small bodies of the cubs. Soon they would be moving about, yipping excitedly as they explored. His muzzle creased into a smile at the corners. He was happy just to sit and watch them, let alone chase them across his homeland. At his side, his tassel thumped the ground rhythmically.

Luma spoke then of his first cubs, his children from Epitaph, but his expression and mood did not change. Confidently, he rumbled, I cannot imagine Basile being so churlish as to dislike them or you. He is too kind. Beryl is not the most affectionate wolf, but I don't believe she will outright hate them, either. Aisha herself was not worth mentioning, in defense at least, for the pretty, bubbly fem could certainly not hate many things in her life.

OOC: Hey, want to just post Luma one more time, then we'll start a new thread with the cubs up and moving, aged a bit?

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma gave a nod to her happy mate. The joy in his eyes made her heart swell. She gazed off down toward where the river ran from her waterfall. She thought of the white fem and hoped someone had gone to visit her. Ideally, Jaden would have been anxiously pacing outside her den.

Yet his scent hadn't crossed in front of Luma's area. For he would have to follow the scent trail through here. The brute brought back thoughts of the selfish male she'd foolish said she was in love with. She let that brute drift from her mind with ease. She didn't care anymore about her mistakes. She let her yellow orbs rest on her lover.

Cassiel might not be the young thing he used to be but his looks had never faded. She felt her own banner thumping the dirt of her den and sighed. He'd given her what she had wanted, dear little furballs of her own. She recalled their first meeting only vaguely. Cassiel hadn't much bothered with her, and it made her smile to find things so different.

My love, would you watch over us as we sleep? The food has made me drowsy. I'll take our little ones back into the dark and rest. If you wish, you can lay where I lay now. To rest and watch over us. Thank you, Cassiel. For all you have given me. She smiled and rose to take the pups back into their earth-scented home.