Ravensblood Forest Nature

Private, only @Avery Cruor, @Aspara, @Vale, and Violante II may post. Set in the evening, thick fog.

She had gone into labor early in the morning, in a separate birthing den she'd dug herself, still close to the caverns. This was something she felt she needed to do alone - she had sent even Noir away. She'd also refused Lorelai's help, insisting that she had her own litter to attend to. So, when the birthing truly began, she was secluded. A thick, heavy mist had settled in the forest, and it seemed to muffle the sounds around her.

Violante birthed four whelps, two males and two females. Her lastborn was dead, for some reason or another, but she didn't let herself linger on it; there was no point in mourning what had never truly lived. She had three living pups to attend to; the Vicera cleaned them, then brought them to her breast. "You are the future of this pack," she murmured fondly, turning black eyes upon each of her children in turn. Once they were settled, she would give a call for her mate, alerting him that she had finally given birth.

Avery quickly arrived at his mate's den to see her resting with three beautiful pups. His pups. He gently settled himself behind Violante. 

He saw another pup then - one that had never lived. He looked down at his healthy pups sleeping peacefully, and his mate resting against him. He was grateful to have had so many of his family survive the birth.

"I will keep you pups safe." He promised his pups then. He knew it was impossible in such a world as this, but maybe if he spoke it he could make it true?

Vale's first breaths were troubled ones, but his mother cleaned him, and he took his first dry breath. He had siblings, and he lay there with them, whimpering and crying as he made his way to his mother's milk. For now, all he wanted was to eat and sleep, and as soon as he had his fill, he was snoozing.

Her birth was easy enough, and her mother cleaned her carefully before settling the newborn beside her siblings. She took comfort in the warmth and safety of her family, and she nuzzled into her mother, suckling greedily. When she had drank her fill, the melanistic female yawned, then settled in for a nice, long sleep.

Her first breath was a loud one, Asara cried out indignantly. She squirmed as her mother cleaned her and guided her to her milk. Once she was satiated, the pup was asleep before she knew it.

It was a new feeling, and took some getting used to, as her pups nursed. They were ravenous, but she had plenty of milk to offer. Her birth had gone well, and though they had lost one, it was survival of the fittest. "We have two litters now, and so few wolves to guard... I worry," she sighed, looking up to her mate. Things had been quiet, but how much longer would it remain so?

"There is always cause for concern, love, but that time is not now." Avery nuzzled his mate's nape. Of course he himself was already well into a frenzy in regards to how on earth they'd be able to keep all the pups safe, but as he said, now was not the time. 

He peered over her at his sleeping pups. They were all absolutely stunning to him, and he already knew he would do anything for them.

"Our family is here together and safe, let us enjoy this moment and leave worries for tomorrow, once you've rested." 

Violante sighed heavily, then conceded with a small nod. "You're right. It can wait." She could not leave her pups for at least the next two months... there was simply nothing to do until then. Tired, Violante nestled closer to her mate, then finally gave in to sleep.