Whitefish River There's not much comfort in this place; I'll keep you safe

She smiled weakly at him, thankful that he was here; he didn't have to be, especially with how uncertain she had left things, and for him to find her pregnant and in trouble...she wasn't sure why he hadn't just turned around and gone back home where things were likely to be way less complicated. 

More pain made her sit up, eyes closed and teeth gritted as she prepared to do this for a fifth time. Had she been less exhausted and not in the midst of another painful contraction, she would have wondered how five could even fit in there, but she was too distracted to really devote much thought to that question. She had to push harder and longer this time, whether it was because she was so tired or because of the pup itself, she wasn't sure. She struggled a lot but finally delivered her fifth child. Pushing her exhaustion aside, she cleaned the tiny pup, noticing that it was the smallest yet. Precious seconds went by, and she had yet to hear the newborn cry or see it move at all. Standing, she moved and positioned herself so that she held the pup between her front legs. She tried and tried to stimulate the puppy, desperately licking her all over and praying each second that she would finally hear her cry. But, no sound ever came. She looked down at her daughter's lifeless body; she was far too small, and her skin held a blue tinge that told the new mother she had been gone long before she was born. Tears fell quickly down her cheeks as she nuzzled her deceased daughter. She couldn't help but feel like this was punishment for all the wrong she had done, all the lives she had damaged. It seemed only fitting that she should have to pay in such a way that broke her. 

Sniffling, she finally looked up at Emrik, her expression heavy with grief. She looked back at her other four children and seeing that they were all sleeping soundly in a pile, she returned her defeated gaze back to her friend. Will you keep them warm for a little bit while-- she paused, unable to say anymore as a quiet sob pushed it's way out. Swallowing and drawing in a deep breath, she stood and delicately picked up her daughter, turning and moving towards the den exit before she lost her composure again. 

She carried the pup outside, shaking her head at any questions or offers of help that may have come from her waiting packmates; this was something she needed to do on her own. 

Once outside the caves, she carried her lost child until a large, obviously very old tree caught her attention; it was taller than any of the trees around it with huge branches and a trunk bigger than any she'd ever seen. She would have liked to do this at the willow tree, but it was too far for her in her current state; this seemed like just as good of a place, anyway. She gently laid the pup on the ground and began digging a small hole. She dug until the grave was as deep as her legs were long and then gently placed her daughter inside. She stared down at her failure for a few moments before she could bring  herself to cover the hole back up with dirt. After placing a few large rocks on top, she sat down, winded from the extra exertion and not quite ready to leave. While she caught her breath, she said a silent goodbye, lingering still for a little while after before finally making her way back to her living children who still needed her. 

She stopped in front of her packmates probably looking awful having just given birth and with dirt all over her front legs. You can come see the now, she offered, trying to muster up a smile but finding it too hard. She turned and walked back into the den, thanking Emrik and taking his place next to the children. She curled around them and within seconds, succumbed to her grief and exhaustion, falling into a deep but troubled sleep.