Sawtooth Spire Always a catch

@Aariak ... Backdated to a day before Kivi thread! @Iqniq welcome to pop in at any point :) Babies also welcome but may be skipped over.

The cubs seemed to grow by the day. She did not miss the days where they were nothing but oversized leeches and she was confined within the den at all. No, Tonravik was glad to be able to stretch her legs from time to time and again assist in making sure all was running smoothly. Tonravik watched the cubs tussle one another, and thought back to the day the pack had been introduced to the lot of them. They had been received well, and this made Tonravik glad.

She rest her muzzle upon outstretched forelegs as they played in the evening light. With the days growing cooler, Tonravik emerged earlier. Nighttime was her preference, but the babes had a different schedule and she, for the while, catered to it. Having fed them recently, there was nothing to do but laze for the while. It was her turn to babysit, and after her mate was certain she didn't take the term literally—which initially, she had, appalled by it—he set off to patrol, or perhaps hunt.

omg I'd never seen this thread D:
Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry!

After the day the pups were introduced to the pack, Aariak had changed his schedule to accomodate more time to spend around the Alphas' den just in case Tonravik and Iqniq needed his assistance with the brood. That had been the day his real job in the pack had started, and he took it very seriously.

Several days before he'd talked to the father about raising the pups, and Aariak knew that both of them were having their very first experience as parents, which was exciting even for himself. It was a tough task if you didn't know at all what you were doing the first time, but lickily, Tonravik's mothery instinct was exceptional, every desicion she'd made had been the best; and Iqniq's enthusiasm about his boys was heartwarming. The caretaker was confident that they would both do great, and that his presence would only be an additional safety measure which he was happy to provide.

"Tonravik," greeted the inuit as he approached the female under the pale moonlight, knowing that now she would be more tolerant towrds visitors.

Tonravik watched the pale male approach the densite. Her long legs carried her toward him so that she could meet him halfway, and once she did she sniffed thoroughly at his furs. Aariak looked to be in good health which pleased her thoroughly. Her mate had done well in leading the pack as she could not, but she was ready to resume her duties beside him. Her lobes pricked forward as he spoke, and she grunted in kind, lifting her head to assert her rank. Getting back into the swing of things required this of her, and she was more guarded around the brood. 

Aariak had met them already along with the pack, and all had gone well, then. Even so, one-on-ones could go different. The male had experience with cubs she knew... and now that he was here with her, she wondered at seeing him in action. The woman wanted to trust him, but was quite cautious with her firstborns.

His leader walked towards the Inuit, meeting him halfway and sniffing him through, which Aariak mirrored. He licked his Alpha's chin respectfully when she lifted her head. Tonravik had been secluded for a while, and this was the first time Aariak would really interact with her since before the storm. Iqniq had, indeed, done an amazing job leading the pack while Tonravik took care of the newborns, but Aariak knew, even before this moment, that soon she would emerge, renewed, and eager to make herself felt.

The caretaker knew that Tonravik wouldn't be too quick to give him full confidence around her first litter. No sane mother would. But the man would follow the lead and wouldn't push her to trust him. Aariak wanted to truly earn that trust. And however long it took he would be patient, not only to begin his job as caretaker, but to really be acknowledged as family. It is true that all Tartok are one family, but that didn't get anyone a free access to eachother's dearest treasures.

"Are you ready for the world again?"

Tonravik's plume waved at his submissive lick. He had run with them a long time, but given the fact that this was their first litter, she was incredibly sensitive to letting others have access to them as actively as she and her mate did. He had some of her trust from bearing the name alone, and his longevity, too; but her cubs brought her to question others and their intent... at least, for the moment.

His question was met with a grunt as she turned to bring him nearer to the brood. She did not mind him interacting with her present, and would watch with apt interest. And so he understood her completely, as she looked to the boys who no longer resembled squirming worms, she said with more eagerness, "Yes." It was good to get any time at all alone... but the idea that she could have more thanks to Aariak appealed to her greatly. He was a good man, she had little doubt that Aariak could handle himself around them... she only needed to see it.

Aariak was driven by his Alpha towards the whelping den, where the forms of four little balls of brown fur laid asleep in absolute comfort. He knew that doing this was not an easy call on the female because, as all mothers did, she was protective of her first brood as she had never been over anything before. This was her first time, her first experience as a mother, but she was lucky to have Iqniq by her side, who although had as much experience as her, was passionate about his sons.

Tonravik admitted that she was ready to go back to the world again, which was met with a nod from the caretaker. That single nod meant many things. He was assuring her that the time was right. He was assuring her that he would be there to fill in her place when needed. But mostly, he was promising that her children would be fine under his care.

Taking the chance, the male stepped into the den with caution, and hopefully with Tonravik's approval the male sniffed over the pups, recognizing each of them by scent.