Blacktail Deer Plateau Flawless

Peregrine's howl jerked Pied from an uneasy, uncomfortable sleep. With a groan, she hoisted herself to her feet and climbed slowly up the tunnel to the mouth of the den. Her eyes narrowed against the morning sunlight but she didn't pause to let them adjust. Moving slowly and carefully, the big-bellied she-wolf began to shuffle through the woods. She scarcely left the area near her den these days but she wouldn't miss this occasion for the world.

She arrived about an hour after the Alpha male's call, very weary and out of breath. The Xi wanted to sink down and sleep right there on the open ground. Instead, she pushed herself toward the entrance of the Alpha pair's den, though she didn't intrude. The dappled female hovered outside, her nose wriggling and her ears pressing forward to catch the scents and sounds emanating from the den. Despite her exhaustion, she smiled brilliantly at the evidence of the newborn pups.

"Congratulations, you two," she managed, feathery white tail waving to and fro. "Welcome to the world, Princesses Ty and O.J.," she added despite knowing her greeting would fall on deaf ears. She chuckled lightly at how strange the word princesses sounded in combination with the girls' not-so-feminine names, which were so very fitting considering their parentage.

Pied wanted to stay and spend some time with Hawkeye and the puppies but she knew now was not the time. Other visitors would want to come give the parents well wishes and the new mother would soon need to rest. Giving birth was no easy task, after all, and the Alpha female would need her sleep now. She wouldn't be getting very much of it in the coming weeks.

"Congratulations again. I'll give you a few days to rest and have your privacy with the girls, then I'll stop by again. Love you, sis," Pied said quietly to Hawkeye. She gave Peregrine an affectionate smile too. The pregnant Xi then turned and began to the slow trek back home to the burrow, hoping and wishing that her own litter would come soon.