Blackfeather Woods into the living sea of waking dreams,

Maegi gasped in tandem with Relmyna, feeling the kick against the soft belly-skin, stretched tight and thin. A watery smile made its way onto her face, trembling as it flashed between genuine happiness and turbulent jealousy. . .and fear. Fear that upon the litter's birth, Relmyna would turn into Potema and more children would be left abandoned.

With a small whine, the girl withdrew her paw, pacing in a troubled fashion for a few moments before pausing once more to look at Relmyna. A sob stuck in her throat, and she bowed her head, gazing at her paws and affecting great interest in the flexing of her toes.

"Do you love them?" she mumbled, mouth curved deep in a frown. Her eyes darted back up to Relmyna--first her stomach, then her face. That beautiful, ravaged face. "Do you want them?" Maegi asked, in a tone little louder than before.