Time passed in slow motion. Weeks leading up to this had given him plenty of time to think about it in every agonizing detail, but in the very end, it was of no real effect now that it was coming down to the wire here. As he watched Portia begin to ail in earnest over their arrival, with Rose and Dalia overseeing as needed, so he defaulted to what he could do best—guard the place, with a healthy side of worrying.

Mostly he tried to stay out of their way, but he was attentive in case needed somehow, even if this was a circumstance he felt the ladies could handle without him smack in the very middle of it all crowding up the place. Still, they were his, he had helped put them all in this position, and mostly, this was his wife they were concerning here. He couldn't imagine not being at least a little worried. It was different than last year, sure. Far less unknown, but the whole nature of the process would always put him on edge. For Portia, and the puppies.

He was still plenty restless about this, so alternated between checking in at his mate's side and pacing around outside on guard. While vigilance of his caliber was nothing to question, he kept his ears flicking towards the den, hopeful, eager, and trying desperately to be patient and willing Portia all the good luck she could need. He had been in the middle of one such anxious pace when he finally did hear telltale puppy squeaks, which renewed the race of his heart all over again. This had him hugging closer to the entrance, but still, he held fast to his patience and only poked his head back in when he hoped everything had settled down.

As his eyes adjusted to the den's dark, he slid carefully nearer to Portia with a soft whine as he spied the three little dollops of fur tucked beside her when close enough to try to lick her muzzle and face. Although he was very hesitant to disturb any peace here, he still had to know: "Everything good?" Everyone, he could have said, although instead he just glanced back at the tiny trio pointedly. "Need anything?" he asked for maybe the hundredth time this week and patted the den floor with a gentle beat of his tail now that the real relief was coming and the sheer delight could set in after

Evidently, her needs were well met. "Easy enough," he rumbled and leaned into  his touches just enough. He was here, not intending to change that any time soon, so she may have all she want and this did lend him more momentary relief. But, he'd ask again later, hunt, fetch whatever she desired, and howl out to tell their pack mates that everything was fine-that three new little ones had arrived safe, sound.

For now, she deserved to have her peace and he would make sure she could have it. When he felt like Portia had almost been showered in enough affections, he dialed them back and delicately got comfortable with them all in his sights. He took this time to better focus on the pups, even if he could scarcely tell where to begin. What he chose (after scooting in even closer) was a gentle touch for each of their backs and he set to memorizing their scents before he could know them any better. Two girls, and one boy, he knew how precious they were to him already, and to finally get to see, smell, and feel them; he was just so glad--and grateful this had all gone smoothly. Tension in his posture had melted away, and he beamed to himself and his tail kept the slow, happy rhythm against the den's floor. He was lucky, he knew, and had seen plenty in his years, but little else compared right now.

In time, they would need names to match them each, and he distantly hoped that one day they would earn Drakru too. But for this moment right here and now, he was busy enough soaking in the present. "Glad they're here.." he murmured when he lifted his head and peered at his piebald mate. "And that all is well," he leveled another glance to let her tell him otherwise--although he hoped not. "I'll let everyone know in a bit," he added as he returned to sights centered upon the new brood.