Silver Creek They say love is pain, well darling, let's hurt tonight [BIRTH]

@Spring or @Heston - tagging for visibility, also, could either of you re-add Soltero to the pack ranks? <3

The time had come, she was sure of it. The pains in her side had grown stronger and even more painful, and her sickness was almost unbearable. Honestly, right now, she wanted them out. It hurt a lot (and made her hungry), and although she did care for her unborn pups, she still didn't think she was cut out to be a mother. Despite this, she could not turn back. She could not erase what had happened, so she must push through. In this case, literally.

She had made a temporary den. The silver woman had not wanted to intrude upon Spring and Heston's own litter, and she wanted a place where she could hide away and watch her pups grow. Skylaris felt that all mothers did this, so it seemed natural. She was inside it now, restless and in pain. It had not yet dawned upon her that she may have gone into labour. The backache was a literal pain too. It was constant and had forced Sky to lay down so that it would not grow. Even so, it was still there. The gamma began to take deep breaths, finally realising what might be happening as the pain stretched. Her fear would not get the best of her! Really, she did get scared much. She had never thought of childbirth being scary, nor had she ever been frightened of raising pups. But now, as she lay on her side, breathing shakily and painfully, her opinions changed. It was scary. It was new - it was going to be hard. This would change her life.

As the first pup came out, Skylaris let out a sigh of relief. The pain dimmed slightly, and the woman gazed back at the form of the dark-coloured child. Her child. She pulled it toward her side, but fear and an icy chill shivered through her when she realised it was lifeless. A stillborn. A new kind of distress forced its way through her as she stared at her dead child. Though, more of the torturous discomfort came and the woman had no time to react. Quickly and carefully she settled the young one a bit further away, closer to the back of the den. She would bury and mourn for the babe later, once the others were safely out. Next came a little dove-grey pup, very much similar to Sky herself. It was a he, she discovered, and when she made a move to pull him toward her a feeling arrived which she had never expected - nor had she felt it before. Was this the motherly love a wolf felt for her young? Surely that must be it. The boy was alive - the Gamma knew this. She gazed at him with pure joy in her eyes, though they soon closed as more agony raked through her body. The last born was yet another stillborn. She stayed silent for a moment before slowly pushing this little girl to lay with her stillborn brother. The pain then dimmed even more - it was still there, but faint enough that she could focus on her one pup. @Soltero was the name she had decided. It meant single, and it seemed fitting since he was the only surviving pup in the litter. Skylaris was indeed sorrowful for her lost ones, who had never gotten to see the world, but she was gleeful that Soltero was here now. Her little baby boy. Though, she was a single parent. Spring had Heston to help, but Sky was alone in raising this child. And she didn't know how well she would take it. Of course, her packmates would probably chip in (Natashe, perhaps) and Spring might give tips, but ultimately it was her child that she was responsible for.

But she loved him and she knew it. He would have to grow without a father, but she would make sure to be the best mother she could be.