[Storm Raven] New life... (FS w/CM)

Summer had been kind to them this year, it seemed. The days were hot of course, but accompanied by a good breeze on most days to cool the wolves of Black Mountain down. The nights remained much the same in regards to temperature, with the occasional rainstorm or two thrown in for good measure.

Storm Raven had gone to sleep hours ago, resting as close to Cold Mountain as she could, given that her now heavily pregnant belly was doing a good job getting in way of that. She had opted to lie on her side, with her back pressed against his side. Her paws twitched on occasion while she slept; images of chasing after prey the subject of her dreams tonight.

The course of Storm Raven’s pregnancy hadn’t been out of the ordinary, rather normal in fact. They hadn’t been sure how many pups she was pregnant with, though the guess was sitting at three or four. Her emotions had been a wreck on some days, and on others; she had to restrain herself from tearing someone’s head off whether she had a reason to be angry or not. Cold Mountain of course, had been nothing if not supportive. He’d already been a father once, however brief; and knew what to expect. Storm Raven however, was new to this and had been absolutely thankful of how patient Cold Mountain had been with her during the past couple of months.

Crickets chirped outside and somewhere in a tree, an owl hooted before taking silent flight to find his nightly meal. Most, if not all of the pack was very much asleep at the moment, enjoying their rest just as much as the huntress was at the moment. She had sworn up and down that at least one of their children was going to be a troublemaker, given some of the kicks that she had received to a couple of her internal organs in the past couple of weeks.

Given that Storm Raven was normally a rather deep sleeper unless given a reason not to be, it was odd when she shifted in her sleep, ears pulling back against her silver head. Her eyes slowly fluttered about halfway open, her calm blue gaze looking around the den that Cold Mountain and she had dug into the ground. In fact, Cold Mountain had actually enlarged the den not a week ago in preparation for their pups to be born. It had been quite amusing, seeing him covered in so much dirt.

Storm Raven looked at the entrance to their den, noticing that she could see the moon just peeking past one side of the entrance. Her view of the moon was quickly wiped away as she clenched her eyes shut, all but grinding her teeth against each other as she felt what she knew was a contraction ripple through her abdomen. She relaxed when it passed about a minute later, sighing lightly and breathed as steady as she could.

Moving closer to Cold Mountain’s face, she nudged him to wake him up. Storm Raven didn’t usually wake him up in the middle of the night for no good reason. So when another contraction crashed over her, she couldn’t help but to emit a high-pitched whine. Her ears folded against her head and her claws digging into the dirt beneath her paws. That one had been particularly painful!

Storm Raven’s voice was laced with pain when she ground out between her teeth, her eyes squeezed shut.

“Cold Mountain, wake up!”

[Okay. I finally get to this reply. LOL I started it before, but kept losing it, so I just gave up. XD ]

Truth be told, Cold Mountain had forgotten what it was like to be a father, particularly an expectant one. What little he'd begun to rediscover with CrystalStream had him ill prepared for what was to come as Storm Raven's day came closer and closer.

Even his former mate's pregnancy had not prepared him. She was of a far different, far more demure temperament naturally than Storm Raven was.. not that he would have had his sweet huntress any other way. She was perhaps the sole remaining wolf in the Black Mountain Pack who could keep the Delta's temper in line when necessary.

He bore her mood swings as best he could, easing her through what must have been a difficult pregnancy, particularly as one of the pups seemed to delight in testing the walls of her womb with his kicks. Cold Mountain couldn't help but grin. That pup was going to be just like him, he suspected. Perhaps the Delta position would stay in the family... He hoped so.

He knew Storm Raven's time was close, but he didn't realize just how close until that evening. He felt her nudging him and slowly pushed himself awake... only to suddenly jolt upright as he heard her crying out. He looked at her, glaring at first, but then quickly nudging her he realized what was happening. "Come on, my darling," he whispered, "Let's get you to the healer's den..." He started ahead of her, offering a strong body on which she could lean.

"Come on, my darling,""Let's get you to the healer's den..."

Storm Raven could not help but almost glare at Cold Mountain, her ears pulled back as she stood up, slowly beginning to follow her mate. She leaned against his side as one of the pups kicked the side walls of her womb again. The huntress couldn't help but grimace, before she spoke.

"Apparently the pup that insists on kicking me can't wait to meet their daddy."

The trip to the healer's den was not an enjoyable one for Storm Raven, with the trip being punctuated by her and Cold Mountain having stop because more contractions ripping through her belly region without mercy. The huntress couldn't help but whine as one strong contraction ripped through her hard enough to force the huntress to sit so that she could ride it out, her body tensing and relaxing slowly.

Storm Raven slowly stood not long after some of the pain dissipated, allowing them to finish the trip to the healer's den. As they neared, Storm Raven issued a calling bark to whichever healer that happened to be inside the den tonight. This would be a long night....

Luckily for Storm Raven and Cold Mountain, Stone Fur rarely slept anymore. Between his need to restock the den's supplies and the slew of injuries that this new, unfamiliar territory brought, it was fortunate he was even able to find time to spend with his new mate, Amaranth. He emerged from the den as Storm Raven and Cold Mountain arrived. "Storm Raven, what-' He broke off as he saw another contraction rip through her body.

"By the First Wolf, the two of you should have come sooner!" he growled, "Storm Raven, lay down. Cold Mountain, help me get her inside!" Once the huntress did as she was told, she would find the two males gently wedging their bodies under her own and carrying her the rest of the way inside. "Now, Cold Mountain, I need water and plenty of it. There should be some clean moss near one of the river banks that will soak it up. Bring as much as you can."

Meanwhile, Stone fur got to work himself. He disappeared further into the den, only to return with a few leaves full of juniper berries (to help calm Storm Raven) and some poppy seeds to help reduce her pain. He laid them close enough to her muzzle that she only need tilt her head and lick them up. "Take these now, Storm Raven, they'll help."

"Storm Raven, what-'"By the First Wolf, the two of you should have come sooner!""Storm Raven, lay down. Cold Mountain, help me get her inside!"

As Stone Fur exited the healer's den and began to bark orders between the two of them, the huntress wasn't one to argue. She followed the healer's order and laid down, finding it a strange sensation to be carried in the den, though she didn't question it.

"Now, Cold Mountain, I need water and plenty of it. There should be some clean moss near one of the river banks that will soak it up. Bring as much as you can."

The huntress watched Cold Mountain go as instructed, her ears pinned to her head as she rode out a smaller contraction.

"Take these now, Storm Raven, they'll help."

Storm Raven looked upwards at Stone Fur from where she was before she tilted her head and licked the Juniper berries and the poppy seeds from the leaf, having to use her paw to hold the leaf down as it stuck to her tongue on the last sweep of her tongue. It was only a moment later that she seemed to startle a bit as 'the kicking puppy' made another go round with the area closest to her ribs. She slowly turned her head, seeming to glare at her swollen belly in a good natured manner before she spoke in a chiding voice.

"Oh calm down and stop that little one! You'll be here soon enough."

The juniper berries and poppy seeds seem to set to work quickly, as the pain of Storm Raven's next big contraction seemed dulled in comparison to earlier, though still painful enough to elict a decent response from her...

Stone Fur worked quickly as Cold Mountain left the den, continuing to grab various herbs and salves that he would need to use to clean and soothe the pups once they were born. Truth was there was little he could do at the moment that Storm Raven's body would not do on its own.

"I know it hurts, Storm Raven, but keep breathing," he instructed, "Let your body work. When you feel those contractions coming, push as hard as you can." He drew one salve close to her muzzle and left it there. The thick, pasty concoction wasn't edible, but the vapors from it would help to soothe the aches in Storm Raven's body without over drugging her.

Cold mountain soon returned with a muzzle full of wet moss. "Cold Mountain, squeeze that out over her body. It'll help keep her cool and clean." Cold Mountain would need to make several such trips, but he was still a fit wolf. All the work to be done now was Storm Raven's.

"I know it hurts, Storm Raven, but keep breathing,""Let your body work. When you feel those contractions coming, push as hard as you can."

Storm Raven continued breathing, as Stone Fur so obviously instructed. The poppy seed had done their job and the contractions were not as painful as before. A another long contraction hit her, she pushed as hard as she could, feeling her teeth grinding together. It wasn't long before their first pup was born, a grey, black, and white boy. The silver huntress sighed heavily. breathing deeply as she laid her head down, her breathing having calmed down once more. She turned slowly, her soft tongue washing over the little one who squeaked and squalled as all new pups did.

Bringing the pup closer to her, he curled into the soft warm fur of his mother's belly, seeking a teat to suck on and finally finding one after a moment of blind searching and latching on, taking in his first meal.

Though she would've much rather had Cold Mountain stay in the den with her, Storm Raven had to admit that the water did indeed help. She cast an appreciative look to both Cold Mountain and Stone Fur, slightly smiling. Though her smile and look disappeared with another contraction, which sent her paws clenching into the floor and her jaw forced shut with such force that she though her teeth would turn to dust.

She pushed and this contraction passed, though it was another two contractions that brought the second pup; a silver boy with black toes, tailtip, and ear with white markings otherwise. Repeating the process with the second puppy, she cleaned him gently as he squeaked at her and the strange world he had just found himself in. Bringing him in close, Storm Raven set him next to his older brother while she laid her head down a moments

The contractions seemed to have given pause for the moment, though she knew there was one more pup. She knew because this last puppy was the one that had been kicking. How did she know? This said puppy was still kicking her! With the absence of the puppy's two older brothers, it now had more room to kick and stretch and boy was it doing a fine job as she felt a forceful kick the area right below her ribs...

It had been another hour before the contractions started again, allowing Storm Raven a brief respite it which she spent the time in a near-nap state while her two oldest nursed noisily. She had to admit, she was tired but this puppy was the last one so it wasn't much further. Continuing to push, her ears flat against her head, she was finding this last pup the most difficult, probably because she was so tired by now. Stopping to take a brief break, Storm Raven resumed her pushing again, only then the last puppy was born.

The ritual cleaning began on the white and grey puppy but Storm Raven was finding her oddly quiet now. Her fear spiked and she continued to clean her youngest, trying to get a response from her. It was a another minute before the little white girl cried loudly, her small paws scrabbling and legs kicking wildly as her mother moved her next to her two brothers. The little girl scrabbled wildly, looking for a teat blindly. Mom stepped in and guided her towards one and she latched on without pause. Storm Raven could not help but chuckle lightly as the white pup's legs kicked out behind her, but slowed as she nursed.

"So that was you this whole time, little one."

The huntress looked towards Cold Mountain, clearly tired and smiled lightly; eyes half lidded. She laid her head on her paws.

"You want to help with names?" she asked tiredly, beginning to relax slowly...

Cold Mountain finally brought the last bit of water and squeezed it over the huntress' face as the final pup came into the world. As she seemed to relax once all were cleaned and suckling, he couldn't help but smile with fatherly pride. These were his children... For only the second time in his life, he was a father. He leaned down, gently nudging each one of them with his nose, introducing them to your scent. "Hello there," he whispered, "I'm... your father." A single tear slipped its way down his cheek as he smiled.

Stone Fur in the meantime looked Storm Raven and the pups over, ensuring there was no injury or health concerns of which he needed to be immediately aware. Satisfied, he looked at the happy parents. "I'll leave the five of you alone," he said, winking. He turned to leave the den. Storm Raven would need to stay in the Healer's den for a few days, but he suspected she'd be just fine.

In the meantime, Cold Mountain bit his lip. Names? It was one aspect he'd never been very good with. It was then that the moonlight managed to pierce into the den outside, flowing over his family. He leaned down, brushing his nose over the first pup. "Rising Moon," he whispered, "My eldest son..."

"Hello there,""I'm... your father.""Rising Moon,""My eldest son..."

Storm Raven smiled lightly, a puff of air leaving her nose at the same time. Her eyes were calm as ever, looking on her little pups and her proud mate. Looking at the tear that slid down is cheek, the moonlight struck in such a way that between the light and Cold Mountain's white fur, it seemed a silvery color from where Storm Raven was.

Looking at the eldest pup, she smiled. Rising Moon, ironic that Cold Mountain would give him the same name as her long deceased brother. She surveyed the pups once more, before she looked to the youngest little girl, who had resumed her energetic flailing, her back legs kicking out, like she were trying to swim or run before she could even crawl. Storm Raven turned her head, caressing the pup's body with her soothing tongue to calm her down for a moment.

"Little Silver River. You're much to energetic. I daresay you'll be like your father."

She smiled, glancing to her mate with tired but sly eyes as grin split across her face at her mate.

"A headstrong, stubborn, pain."

The huntress couldn't help but chuckle lightly.

"But dutiful and loyal."

Edit: OOC:

((Oh really, talk to me about continuity?

Quote :

Luckily for Storm Raven and Cold Mountain, Stone Fur rarely slept anymore. Between his need to restock the den's supplies and the slew of injuries that this new, unfamiliar territory brought, it was fortunate he was even able to find time to spend with his new mate, Amaranth.

From your second post, the fourth in this thread. Hmmmm? Just kidding. But I changed it. ))

[You're losing your continuity Zero. :p Amaranth came AFTER the pups were born. XD ]

((Will post on this, and the other threads I owe responses to, after I get off work tonight. ])

((Firestorm? Did you forget about this thread?))

((No. I've just been busy. XD I promise I'll get to it soon, Zero! And beginning in September, I've got two weeks to pay attention to this place on a much more regular basis, I hope. XD ))

((When I have some time I'll definitely have to work out some more continuity here, but ah well... ))

Cold Mountain smiled as the second pup received her name. Silver River... a young female as lovely as her mother. And finally it was time for the final pup, his second son to receive his name. He leaned down, examining him. He was strong, and doubtless would become a large wolf when he grew older... both brothers seemed fated to that, but... the most unusual character they both shared... the ears... streaks of black. Storm Raven had spoken of her father often, though she'd not said what he looked like... perhaps this colouring came from them?

"Black Ear," he said finally, "Unique... an individual who will carve his own path." He licked the heads of all his children, smiling at all of them. "Look at them, Storm Raven... At last we've come full circle... We've accomplished all we could have ever desired."

((Actually, Rising Moon has white ears. Black Ear is the only one of the three that was designed with black ears. Though I could change Rising Moon's ears to black...))

Silver River would indeed grow into a lovely wolfess, though her markings were very much Storm Raven's, she looked so much like Cold Mountain, white with grey and silver.

"Black Ear,""Unique... an individual who will carve his own path."

Storm Raven looked at her mate, smiling, her calm blue eyes shining lightly. The black in the boy's coats had indeed come from her own father, though Storm Raven had reflected much more of her mother's coloring and did not carry the black. She smiled as Cold Mountain named Black Ear, and about him carving his own path. Looking upwards, she nuzzled the white and silver patched wolf by her.

"He'll be just like his father."

"Look at them, Storm Raven... At last we've come full circle... We've accomplished all we could have ever desired."

Leaning her head against Cold Mountain strong chest, she sighed, her white tipped ears falling back onto her head in contentment. "We have a family." She chuckled lightly as Silver River flailed her legs blindly, like she were again trying to run or gain her paws before she could walk or stand for that matter. Silver River squeaked in protest to the fact that she wasn't moving. Storm Raven laughed lightly, caressing her daughter with her tongue. "So eager to run are you?"

For the first time since Storm Raven had gone into labour, Cold Mountain allowed himself to relax, laying down beside her as he helped her to clean the pups. They were all so beautiful... His mind briefly turned back to his lovely Azalea, and he wondered how she would feel, seeing her mate with a new family. Oh, nothing would ever replace his love for CrystalStream, but she had her own life now, her own family. He had to focus on the Black Mountain Pack as much as he could.

He smiled at his mate, then watched as Silver River tried to run. "She already has the makings of a brilliant huntress, like her mother," he pointed out, "And something tells me she will end up running for much of her life, as the river from which she is named."