Herbalists' Cache muradoii II

backdated to before the conflict / pups were born!

snow packed at her flanks. the shelter stank of root, blood, old bone. just how she preferred it; a foul pregnancy craving.
sivaak stirs now. her belly taut, swollen. sides twitching; she snarls softly under her breath—her skin burns. it is too warm.
black hawk. she growls.
she noses past dried herbs, tail sweeping, crouching to slip from the mouth of the snow den. fresh air slapping her face, which she drinks eagerly and grunts. the effort to move has become tremendous.
come now. voice sharp. or the sea take you already?
a demanding, hungry wife. she waits, heavy belly brushing frost, red eyes narrowed to slits.