some say the world will end in fire

@Tatsuya

Tarritut Lake was not so far from the would-be whelping den that it would be a struggle to get there. Even the night was hot, and Tonravik wished to dip in the cool waters of the lake. Knowing she would be in seclusion soon did not bother her; but she stretched her legs some, because of it. Moving toward the crystalline waters, the leader saw none nearby. The alpha female was frequently visited by all pack members, given meals large and small when they were retrieved. Her latest craving would come to be bison, a favorite of the mountaineer. But on the Spine, the animals truly did not linger. She had seen them in higher climes, but not these. It was... disappointing.

The alpha female did not think of this craving as she slid into the tepid water. Instead, she thought of nothing. She was alert to all around her, but her mind was empty of all things. It was a nice, brief moment of quiet. As her abdomen entered the water, the beings inside kicked. Perhaps it was the shock of the cold. Well, it was better they get used to these things now. Still, she slowed in her entrance... until she was at last, five minutes later, shoulder-deep.