Horizon Ridge A son's howl tears the sky asunder [birthing]

As the birth of Thistle's children came nearer, Pump began to sense Ragnar's slight anxiety, even though he did all his errands as usual. A man of duty, a proud one too, never to ask, if he needed a helping hand or a moment of free time, which his leader would have willingly given. It had been peculiar observing, how very much in love this white, brutish beast was with his mate, how devoted and caring they were to each other. It didn't occur to Ragnar that these feelings could mean his doom in uncertain future and oddly - they didn't make him weaker. If she understood his actions correctly, then the more he cared for his mate, the fiercer and more protective he was. So maybe love wasn't such a bad thing after all...

Not for her, of course. She had followed Ragnar's tracks after finishing her part of the border patrol and it didn't take long for her to smell the unmistakable scent of blood and childbirth, then the howl resonated through the forest, announcing the news. While approaching the den, she slowed her steps and eventually came to a halt few feet away from it. She spotted Ragnar, lying at the den's mouth, looking happy and proud, also Julooke, who was excited. Pump regarded her with a brief nod and then casted a questioning glance at Ragnar, silently asking, if everything was alright.