it all starts with the start bellatrix gives, jerking awake.

and her morning ... day ... night — she cannot be sure and could not find it within herself to care — is on a steady descent into hellish pain.

each contraction has her desperately digging her claws into the earth, gritting her teeth, panting heavily and when she cannot stand it yelps of pain.

she thinks something is wrong.

and maybe it was. she gives birth to runty things, half formed things.

ghoulish and each more heartbreaking than the last.

she hadn't wanted to be a mother but she hadn't wanted it at the expense of the unborn cub's lives.

bury them —! she half sobs, half snarls at her mother @Arlette ( of which she would feel guilty for later ).

she thinks it is over when contractions do not come. she is exhausted and on the verge of sleep when her body pushes the last born into the world. easy. plump. healthy.

she pulls the babe towards her, teeth breaking the sac and cleans her. @Solaria. solaria stark. she murmurs against the squalling child's head, nudging her towards a teat to nurse.

Arlette was close, stayed close to her daughter when her due date was getting closer. She could tell by the way her daughter was behaving. Arlette camped outside her daughter's den. She was where when needed or would make herself scarce when her presence wasn't wanted. She understood. She had been pregnant twice. It had not been an easy feat, but always so welcome.

When the signs were starting she was close. The woman had already gathered herbs and other things she might need. Something to stop the bleeding, some to calm the nerves and others to numb the pain. It was there might she need it.

Arlette was there with her. The pups that were born were lifeless. Arlette remembered all too much from her own first litter. Too young, too early, unfinished. It was almost a repetition of her miscarriage. She soothed her daughter though, whenever she might need it. Arlette was not one to disobey a birthing mother. She picked them up gently, placing them towards the exit of the den.

Arlette was not going to leave her daughter yet, but at least they were out of Bellatrix's sight. Things seem to settle, and the mother stayed near. Her ears picked up a cry, Arlette returned instantly to her daughter's side. A pup, plump and healthy unlike the others. Fascinating, medically. Arlette was briefly worried about her daughter's motherly instincts, but she shouldn't have. She smiled softly. "Welcome, Solaria Stark," she whispered warmly. She was extremely proud.

Arlette nudged her daughter's muzzle. "You did wonderfully," she praised. "I will guard the den so you can rest and bond." Arlette had left her some of the herbs with instructions so she could take whatever she wanted or craved. The now grandmother looked at the deceased pups, the ones that didn't make it. She would give them a place, return them to nature not far from where they unfortunately didn't get to experience life. Perhaps it was for the better.

The ghostly grandmother was hovering around the den like a relentless sentinel. The voice to anyone who was curious, and the bouncer that would let only someone enter with the verbal approval of her daughter.