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The days were becoming longer and longer for Terreis as the time for the pups arrival got closer. She had been spending more time in the den, partially because she felt tired most of the time but also because Derecho and several other pack members insisted that she take it easy. That advice had been fine for the first day, and even the second day, but as more time went by Terreis became more and more stir crazy. She wasn’t the type of wolf that could sit around and do nothing day after day. And even though she had to admit that things were harder for her to do she hated not attending to the duties she normally saw to. Today Derecho had left early, off to busy himself with patrols and hunting and anything else the pack needed. She wished so badly to have gone with him but no, she stayed behind. In fact she had taken a good long nap since he left and was feeling quite refreshed. Refreshed enough that she thought a little exercise would do her some good.

Getting up was a bit of a challenge now, especially without Derecho here to help, but a couple of grunts and heaves and she was on her feet. Crawling out from the den Terreis met the days sunny warmth happily. Glancing around she noted that the dens were all empty, a clear sign that everyone was off doing things – well except perhaps Merrill. Taking a deep relaxing breath Terreis began to slowly pad around the central dens. It was good to stretch her legs. And after a few minutes of that she felt good enough that she decided to venture a bit further out. She would be back in the den in no time.

That seemingly short walk away from the den had turned into a much longer one. Terreis was feeling great today so she figured why waste it laying around in the den. It would be still some time before Derecho returned to check on her so she continued on at a slow pace. She had to stop now and then to rest for a short while but other than that she kept on walking. After some time the sound of water reached her ears. My she had made it all the way to the river, that was quite a hike. Well she would get a drink and then make her way back to the dens.

It wasn’t long before she reached the river. A drink would be really refreshing right now. Lowering her plump body down at the bank Terreis lapped up some of the cool water. Once she got her fill she continued to sit there until she decided it was too hot in the sun and went to move into the shade. As she did so a ripple of movement ran down her side. The pups had been quite active lately so she thought nothing of it. Laying down in the shade she closed her eyes. A few minutes of rest and she should be good to go for the trip back to the dens.

Another ripple of movement came across her stomach only this one was more intense than the one before and made her eyes shoot open. No, it can’t be she thought. She tried to sit up but she was struck by even more pain and was forced to lay down again. Oh why did I have to come out here, she thought. This was no place for the pups to be born, and who knows when anyone would come along here and find her. Taking a deep breath she forced herself to ignore the pain and stand. Her steps were slow and quite staggered. It hurt so much. She would never make it back to the den in time. “Oh please not now.” She said as she laid down once more.

That voice, that beautiful voice, Terreis thought as she opened her eyes to see Aleu running forward. Never before had she been so happy to see Derecho’s sister in her life. Lifting her head, she let herself smile slightly to show how glad she was, but it faded quickly with another wave of pain. “I was so stupid Aleu.” Her breathing was heavy. “I never should have left the dens. But I felt so good.” Closing her eyes Terreis let out a small whine as another wave of pain struck her. “I fear it is time.” Opening her eyes she looked at the other female with pleading eyes. “You have to get me to a den, there is one not far from here.” It was in fact the den she stayed in when she first came across this pack.

Once in the den Terreis was able to relax a bit. At least the pups weren’t going to be born out in the middle of the forest. Here they would be protected from everything. She was still scared of what was to come. Sure she had spoke with Chivosi about what to expect but all that talk did nothing to help the pain and fear she was feeling now. When Aleu suggested that she should go and find Derecho Terreis panicked. She was just going to leave her here? Reaching out with her paw to stop the female she shook her head. “No, please don’t leave me.”

With Aleu now staying Terreis lay her head down, the waves of pain were coming faster now and more intense each time. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore, Derecho needed to be here. “Yes,” She said panting heavily. “Go find him, but please hurry.”

Derecho was nearly done the patrol he had set out early this morning to do, his mind however was far from the perils of the boarder - his thoughts were instead focused back at his den. His wonderfully safe and cozy den, soon to be the home to his new pups. Terreis had been getting steadily larger over the last few weeks and he was pretty sure they would be arriving at any time.

Which meant he'd been trying to spend as much time as possible near by - just in case. Some things however couldn't be put off - especially with Merrill laid up as well. One of these things was patrols. But he was nearly done now and soon he could return home.

Such were the thoughts in his mind when his sisters panicked cries reached his ear's, skidding to a stop he turned in her direction and bolted towards her, howling as he went "Here Aleu!"

Derecho skid to a halt as a breathless Aleu told him the pups were on thier way! He had known this was going to happen he told himself - had known that they would come while he was off and busy, he never should have left the den. Should have made someone else take on more work in his stead. It was too late to be worrying about that now he told himself as he took off after his sister. "The den by the river? Why on earth is she there?!?" He shouted to his sister.

Not that the answer to the question was all that important right now and Derecho didn't wait to see if Aleu answer just kicked it up a notch and rushed passed her through the woods. Once at the den he skid to a stop and ducked a look inside "Terreis?" He asked softly

"I was on the boarder" He apologized, knowing somehow that this was not the time to start an argument with her and slinking inside he winced in sympathy as he noted how much discomfort she was in "but then you'd have to raise the pups all on your own, and they're sure to be a handful" He told her with a smile as he settled. "I mean just look at their parents" He continued, somewhat unsure what to say but hoping to keep her distracted from the pain.

The sight of her fear filled eyes pained him - Terreis was never scared "It will be alright" He reassured her licking between her ears soothingly "Just think about no longer being forced to take it easy when this is done" He encouraged her "You'll be back to your old self in no time" In truth he was scared too - but he couldn't afford to give into it right now, Terreis needed someone to be strong - both of them fretting and fearful wouldn't help the situation any.

Derecho was beside himself as each new pup arrived, fully caught up in the joy of being a father he didn't even seem to notice Terreis' reaction to the fact that they were all males - in fact the fact that they were hadn't even crossed his mind. They were perfect as far as he could see and would have been even had they all been female. "Look how strong they are!" He remarked with awe in his voice as he nudged one of the wiggling pups "They will grow to be fine wolves" He continued completely oblivious to Terreis' feelings on the matter.

"Don't you think so?' He finally asked as her silence registered after a tie - though he assumed she was just tired. Five fine pups would tire out any new mother!