Ouroboros Spine breathe into you

He had been away, practicing hard to better stalk and catch smaller kills. 

With now a wife and pups to tend to, such skills would be needed to ensure their needs were met.

Far out along the hunting ground, the call had barely made his audit. 

It was Shikoba who called for him. Could it be? Was it time already?

Heart skipping in his chest, Inutsuk raced for the ulaq the couple shared. Despite his heavy weight, the man pushed himself to a pace he rarely used.

Upon arrival, he noticed Aiolos close by, standing guard. Inutsuk is grateful for this, and shows it with a nod and a chuff of thanks.

Moving onward, the tawny man slipped into the den, eyes widening at the sight. There were three bodies, but only one that moved. If only it were not meant to be a momentous occasion, he would have wept and howled with grief. But now, he knew he could not.

Shikoba. The name had been screamed inwardly. At her side, he dipped his snout and nuzzled her cheek, then licked in between her ears.

Once Inutsuk had smothered the new mother with loving affection, he would then place his attention over the three whelps. His tongue sought out the stillborns, giving each a gentle lick: his way of saying both welcome and farewell. Then onto the third. A lively boy, clinging onto his mother. A lick for him as well.

There should have been words to part his lips, but the man was too speechless. Instead of speak, his chin rested upon Shikoba's crown and his eyes hovered fondly over the furry bundle that was their son. There was nothing else he desired to do in this moment.