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It couldn't be happening. Not today of all days, a day when the rounded wolfess had left her recent 'home' to come near the beach. Mingan knew she had entered a packs territory but, the sharp twinges and, wiggling of the bodies within her made the lone female more careless. "I should just..stand near the water and, let it touch up to my legs. Even now you are troublemakers." Nosing her own stomach delicately a soft look filled her eyes, her heart pitter pattering in a strange way. Yes..she loved them..her pups..they would be glorious little creatures. Strong and mighty...like their father. Niflheim. Inhaling sharply Mingan trotted away from the beach, back to the forest she had come to stalk and, call home. A part of her foolishly thought maybe hiding the little ones would be best, maybe keeping them hidden far from the mountains would make everything alright. Some days Min thought maybe she would take them to their father when they were strong enough to move...then other darker days she thought of never letting them be seen..never letting the only male she had ever cared about see his pups. Those thoughts however brought too much turmoil to the emotional wolfess's mind. No. No hiding, when the pups were strong enough Mingan would travel with them to the mountains, to their new home. If Niflheim hated her or did not truly desire her then Mingan knew she would leave..maybe that would be best. "These new feelings are strange and, confusing." Trying in vain to shake of the emotions along with the pain in her side, it was decided that going back to her hidden little cave would be the wisest choice.

At the cave Masichuvio stood guard waiting for the gray wolf to return. She couldn't be that far out..part of him argued that something could have happened. What would he do if Mingan had been injured? Anxiously shifting the buck tried to focus his mind elsewhere. Worriedly pacing wouldn't bring Mingan back any faster. Plus it would upset the bunny..the rabbit cuddled among soft mosses and leaves. In that area Masichuvio admitted he had prepared for Mingan's return, the soft materials would cushion her and, her newborn pups when they arrived.

Padding through the forest her eyes downcast, Mingan had started to drift here and, there appearing lost should someone stop to see her. They would be partially correct, mentally Mingan felt drained. The weight of her decisions came crashing back into her, they ate away at her inwardly like some dark beast. Only finding and telling Niflheim of the pups would ease the sick dark feeling, only then could she relax.

Niflheim, his scent although very faint, met Mingan's suddenly curious, uplifted nose. He couldn't possibly be here..that was preposterous. Min might have felt weak and, might have grown closer to giving birth with each passing second but, the female knew the handsome alpha couldn't/shouldn't have known about the pups. Glancing upwards her hackles rose...so her nose hadn't lied fully. Niflheim's doe..Ivory that was her name and, some unknown purple she wolf stood near the edges of her temporary territory. Curse it all! Not wishing to deal with Ivory the gray wolfess shook her head trying to look fearsome when her eyes only held flashes of pain and, sparks of annoyance. "I suggest you..hnnnn..move or I will eat you..whatever you've been told is a lie..please leave I have...t-things to do." Why did she continue to lie. That itself remained a mystery to the struggling wolf who had managed to keep moving despite the shortening contractions wracking her body. 'Just stay in a little longer you little trouble makers..' . The thought became a mantra which Mingan repeated until 'home' came into sight. Safety and, warmth awaited along with the soft things Masichuvio had gathered.

With his ears perked Masichuvio watched the rustling bushes, he might have felt relief but, that fled at the sight of Ivory so...round. He recalled their pact and, felt a little stirring or pride..fawns. Still Masi chided himself, he had a job to do..that included keeping Mingan happy since it appeared the pups would arrive within moments of the grumbling gray wolfess flopping into the little cave. Nosing and, talking to Ivory would wait at least till he knew their intentions for coming..he did not want Min to panic.

With those final few steps Min had made it; home at last. Instincts kicked into high gear..she really wished the three outside would leave or..walk off a bit but, her voice refused to work when a sharper more terrible pain hit leaving the first time mother shaken. Niflheim would die a slow painful death..those were her only real thoughts as she worked to have her little ones.

While Mingan had her pups Masichuvio went back to pacing while also politely asking the two females to stay away "Just stay back for now, she's already uncomfortable around one she does not know." Staring at Freja for but a moment the gray buck paused in his pacing to look Ivory over and, nose at her stomach with a fond little smile. "Your belly has gotten quite big too Ivory..how are you feeling? Please tell me you don't have any other..companions with you from the mountains." That would just be, well he thought it could be good or it could be bad. However before he could hear an answer the buck hurried closer to the cave's entrance but, not too close. The whines of pain had grown faint while little puppy grunts and, cries started to drift out. In the dim interior of the cave his blue eyes could make out five squirming bodies, Masi couldn't have been happier. "Well well..five! Those are many little mouths to feed..it's pointless to deny he's their father..they looks so much like him." Chuckling Masi didn't even flinch when Min told him to keep his mouth shut, he just laughed more heartily. Ivory would know the fluffy pups belonged to the alpha..even form a distance he could see that most of them would be bigger than Mingan..big like mountain wolves were. Plus their coloring screamed Niflheim..the alpha would know they belonged to him and, so would the two standing outside.

Masichuvio felt his small tail give a wiggle, excitement brewing in him despite the slight madness that had occurred. He felt content knowing they would soon go up to the mountains, once the pups were big enough to move.
Smiling kindly as the wolfess Freyja moved forward with a duck Mas kept his eyes on the den, watching when his long time companions muzzle appeared for long enough toe snatch the dead fowl.
"Yes, we are a pack...I know we belong with you..she's just so stubborn but, I should know that better than anyone since we've been together for so many years...Thank you for your help. She will rest much easier with you two here."
Yes, he would always know but, love Min's stubborn streak..it's what made her unique..it's what made her continue fighting to the bitter end. No matter what the world threw at them Mas could rest assured that Mingan would continue onward.
Mingan listened, wearily letting her eyes close partially. Who knew birth would be such a tiresome ordeal. Plus she now felt even more..tense and protective.
Ready to kill anything that got too close; save the three outside, especially the purple coated female. The duck had been more than just food. Mingan felt a sudden kindness and, a kindling want to be near Niflheim..to be in the mountains with the pups among the large alpha's pack.

Would they accept her as Freyja seemed to have accepted them? With a soft sigh, stomach full..pups resting and, eating Mingan allowed her eyes to fully close.
A little rest couldn't hurt..not with her soon to be pack mates on the lookout.

Blinking at the question he gave a fond little smile and, settled down near Freyja. "They are beautiful...fluffy and gray with black. Not all black but, one or two have some sprinkled in. I am certain Niflheim will be a proud father when he gets to see them. Speaking of that..." With a very small frown he looekd up at Ivory, thinking for a few moments before finishing his statement. "When do you think it would be best to venture with the pups into the mountains? A few weeks? Will one of you return to tell Niflheim?"