Swiftcurrent Creek #YOLO

When the pups dozed, Paar often dozed with them. Day and night, whenever she stopped nursing them, it felt like it was time to start the process all over again. Being a single parent did exhaust her, though she did not know how any wolf could do it without the support of her beloved pack-mates. Bazi in particular had been exceptional, having been thrust into the role of pseudo-aunt without much preparation, and the crimson Frostfur was beyond grateful for the assistance in the absence of her pups' father.

So busy with the rearing of her young, Shadow had been distant a thought in Paarthurnax' mind, but one that sparked her sorrow from time to time. She wondered how he was faring, now that he seemed to have stopped lurking on Swiftcurrent outskirts; she could only assume that he'd gone back to his Noctisardor Bypass and the pack that had waited a long time for his return. It would be several weeks before he would once more have the opportunity to look upon his children again, which saddened her, but she had to remind herself that this situation would be best for both herself and the subs.

Drained of energy but with her thoughts clouded, Paarthurnax lay curled around the growing bodies of her pups. She observed one in particular: Durnehviir, her only daughter. The girl had been quiet and withdrawn the past few days, far from her usual vocal self. Durnehviir lay curled close to her mother's belly, sound asleep with her tony tongue poking past her dark lips, seemingly content. She would keep a close watch on her, for any further changes in behaviour.

A sharp squeal dragged her attention from her daughter to the smallest of her sons, and gently she unfurled herself to better look upon Relonikiv as he excitedly paws at his pale brother's face. Julius, ever-tolerant and patient, did not yowl out in protest but instead made to move away, directly over his sibling's head in a bid for escape.

Paarthurnax rumbled affectionately to her boys as she dipped her muzzle between them, forcing them apart. She brushed the tip of her snout across Julius' alabaster rump, then made to sneak a kiss at Relon's pale chin. Much to her delight she spotted the tiny slivers of dusky blue between his eyelids. "Hi baby," she said softly, her words a mere whisper despite knowing that her offspring could not hear them quite yet. "Well aren't you handsome."