Ouroboros Spine Welcome to our world

His heart stopped at the pained sound that escaped his wife's muzzle. Something had changed for this last pup, and Valiant didn't know how to help her. He remained close, murmuring quiet encouragement after Ippiksaut said her piece. He felt so small despite being larger than both women. Mother's magic was something he only half believed in, but in that moment, he prayed to the black bear, and to whatever forces had carried her through each of her births on her own.

And, when the last boy finally came, Valiant found himself devout.

He spent a moment speechless, wordlessly comforting his wife. Her face was strained and exhausted, but it was clear that she would live. The three boys, too, were in perfect health. Valiant's eyes drifted to them, and then he couldn't look away.

"@White Bear," he said of the last boy, pale in color as he was. "After his grandmother."

They'd already come up with names for the other two — and he could see it already, which was which. They'd discuss it more fully later, when Raindrop had time to rest. For now, he set aside such thoughts and bathed his wife's face in gentle kisses.