Dragoncrest Cliffs This Is the Only Way to Be

Chacal hasn’t called out, so this would be open to closer family members (mothers and siblings) who might be near her den. Once she makes the announcement, others will be welcomed in.

For the majority of the night, Chacal slept restlessly. She’d mentioned to @Erzulie and @Sobo that her time might come soon, and that she might need them. Her ribs and hips aches, the small or her back was in constant pain. In the last week of her pregnancy, she had really put on weight, and all of it seemed to hang in her belly. 

When she awoke after a short sleep, she knew it was time. She circled within her den and panted heavily, freezing to flinch when contractions hit. She didn’t call out, as she knew certain pains were normal. She circled and circled, until she felt a heavy pressure within her, and began to push. 

The first pup born was a male- and he came to life once she shifted around to clean him and encourage breathing with rigorous licks. She knew the puppies needed oxygen, and that this was all she could do. She’d just finished marvelling at her son when she felt another clenching in her muscles- and another male pup was born. Like the first, she cleaned him, and had just finished when the next came forth. 

Three boys squirmed, nested carefully at her side, and she thought she was done. She relaxed, and nudged her boys toward her belly where they would find milk. She tore herself away from them, gently, when she felt a slight stirring in her stomach. Thinking she might be sick, she pulled away, and gagged slightly at the entrance to the tunnel. A cramp of pain rolled through her abdomen, and something tickled her nose. She lowered herself a bit and sneezed- and as she did, a tiny, still runt passed part of the way into existence. Surprised, Chacal lay back down and strained to try and pass the puppy out. She reached around, grabbed whatever she could, gently, and pulled- and the tiny thing was freed. 

The littlest one, the only female, did begin breathing but Chacal feared for her health. She wasn’t half the size of the others. Exhausted, Chacal pulled her children close, and rested her head down on the ground so she might at least catch her breath for a moment.