Sleepy Fox Hollow every outcome is such a comedown

Wylla knew it would be soon, but was unprepared for just how soon. Surely, she thought when a painful kick turned into an even more painful contraction and made her breath catch in her throat, surely she had another couple days to prepare? Oh, even if she had a week or two left, it would not be enough time! It never was.

Wylla turned immediately for the den. She was but a short walk away, pacing in a slow circle to keep her limbs from growing restless and to quell the minor cramps that always came with the impending end of her pregnancy. Another contraction, stronger, rippled through her abdomen and made her eyes pop wide and seek her mate's face. It had never progressed so quickly before!

What Wylla did not recall was that each birth had been faster than the last, and now her body was accustomed to the process. Coupled with both age and the fact there was only one puppy, Ilse would not be long in coming. In fact, Wylla hardly had time to reach the den and sequester herself in its depths, pausing for breath with each contraction, before the sharpest pain yet pierced her abdomen and the first urge to push came on a muffled groan.