Redtail Rise more

new snow sought a fresh den for this delivery.

toward the end, augur had stayed close, reliant upon the offerings of meat from other rise-wolves as he waited for the moment to arrive.

the great man steered himself clear of his mate's clicking teeth and laid himself outside the den to wait.

he raised his head to hear the cry of newborn daughter break the dawn.

a low whine came from augur. but new snow had not called for him and so he did not approach.

morning became afternoon became evening.

and that hour brought another daughter.

at last new snow called for mate and eldest son. he came close on slinking belly, offering soft licks to his mate's face before he peered into her embrace for the children.

fresh life to grace the fresh den.

for a time augur would stay.

and then he would announce their birth in a low howl, setting off to hunt for new snow's first meal after she had delivered their cubs.