Bearclaw Valley wildflower

for @Vanja < 3

the winter would soon ease, and the ground would soon thaw. and with that thaw would come rebirth; a change winslet could hardly wait for. spring would be upon them soon and the valley would be bursting with life. not only flora, but soon, there would be the stampede of little paws. child's laughter, tomfoolery—she smiled fondly at the thought. 

a part inside of her ached, though. a part that was jealous, perhaps, of all the expecting mothers. a maternal side of her that would rear its head full-fledged and strong. a side of her that yearned to whelp pups herself. 

it was foolish, maybe, seeing as the bond between she and cole was still fresh. still blooming. she would not ask of him for such; it felt too soon, and she did not want to push something on to him that he may not wish for himself. 

but oh, how she could dream it. her belly swelling and full of life they would create together. her own children to corral and teach and love.

she hopes it will come soon. but for now, she soothes that dull ache with preparing for the new bearclaw children. she stood beneath an oak tree, circling its trunk, gathering whatever she could collect. feathers, grass. 

if she could not whelp children this season, she would help take care of the many soon to come.