Swiftcurrent Creek [m] Welcome to the world, not-so-little ones

Arlette didn't know if she had passed out or not. There was screaming though, and that calmed her. It was always good when they used their lungs. Arlette smiled with her eyes closed as Arric told her that they had a girl. She wouldn't have minded all boys--- though then she realized she didn't know what the golden one was. It was alright. She would find out. First she needed rest. Arlette noticed she was dozing, with the gentle tugging she remembered as pups feeding it lulled her to sleep. It wasn't a bad feeling until they got teeth. Arlette knew she wasn't completely done, after birth and all that, but she couldn't. No. She needed to rest.

She was not sure how long she was sleeping but she awoke with a jolt. She winced. No. No. Arlette shifted and whimpered in pain. Her muscles were sore. She wasn't sure if she could go again. She pushed herself up to trembling legs, but was quick to lie down again. Fuck. Fuck. She half leaned against the wall of the den. There's.... another one, she huffed. Another round. Her body wasn't done yet. Arlette sagged more and tried to push but she was just empty. She let the contractions take over but there was hardly any energy for her to really push. Her red eyes drifted to the three pups. She slowly wiggled closer to them, muzzle close to the little ones.

She found strength in them. Also in Arric who hadn't left her side for one moment. If she couldn't do it anymore then she had to do it for them. She tried to gather more courage to confront this pain and work. God, what if this was only half?! No-- Don't think about that. Focus on this one first. Arlette pushed, low whines coming with each push. She didn't realize she was crying. Soft sniffles really. Arlette had hardly control over herself with the exhaustion. She was going through the motions. This one was no runt of the litter either. Damn. She had to work for it. Arlette was half out of it when she heard the loud cry, and instantly black out after that. Too exhausted.