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 Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:07 am
 The days since the majority of the pack had left seemed to have blended into one another. She had lost count of just how many days they had been gone, though her guess was three or four. Those few wolves that had stayed behind did their best to keep her mind off of Verse and his current absence. Partridge sang her songs now and then, though she could tell when he was feeling nervous as his tone went off. Ki-Adi’s quiet and soft presence was relaxing, even if she didn’t talk a lot. It was nice just to have someone there so she didn’t go completely bonkers. Terreis did most of the work however, bringing her food and drink, helping her move around now that the weight of her unborn pups bore down greatly on Aleu and the splotchy female also represented safety for those who did stay behind. Aleu had no doubt in her mind that if any stranger came near the pack borders Terreis would run them off in an instant.
All in all it wasn’t so bad being left behind. At least during the day it wasn’t. Night was a different story. That was the time she missed Verse the most. Those who stayed behind took turns staying with Aleu at night to ensure she was always looked after, but they were not Verse. Most of the night was spent awake either dude to her longing for Verse or because of the pups feeling the need to repeatedly kick her insides.
For the moment Aleu was alone, the others were attending to duties about the pack and allowing her a few moments to rest and relax.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:08 am
 Terreis had been busy these last few days. Hunting for those who remained in the pack, doing border patrols, checking in on Aleu. She missed Derecho but knew he was doing something important with the pack, much as she was back here. She also knew that Aleu missed Verse greatly. Those two had not been separated for more than a few hours at a time since they became mates and now they would have to endure days apart. Admittedly Aleu did a pretty fair job of hiding her longing for her mate, but the other night when she slept in Aleu’s den the splotchy female could see just how much she wanted him here at her side.
Returning to the den site with several grouse in her maw Terreis set a few of them on the stone for the others to take their share from and then carried one into Aleu’s den. Setting the bird down Terreis looked over Aleu, she was large and the pups would likely arrive any day now, but it could be a week as well, sometimes it was hard to tell. “How are you feeling today?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:09 am
Aleu looked up as Terreis entered her den carrying a meal of a fat grouse. She smiled at the female and then laid her head back down on her paws. “I’m alright, just tired.” It was incredibly hard to sleep now, between her longing for Verse, the pups movement and the general uncomfortable feeling of her body sleep was a rare treat. After staring at the den entrance for several long minutes as if expecting Verse to come prancing up right now Aleu turned her eyes to Terreis. “I want to sleep alone tonight.” There would likely be some argument from the other wolf but really Aleu just wanted to be left alone, as much as she appreciated the others attention it was somewhat smothering.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:10 am
“That is to be expected. I slept very little near the end of my pregnancy.” She remembered all those sleepless nights, the tossing and turning in a vain attempt to find a comfortable position. And just when she did, one of the pups would shift and make that once comfortable position horribly uncomfortable. Such was the burden of bringing new life into the world. Always annoyed her that the males contributed so very little while the females had to suffer for months.
Aleu’s next words made her pause. She wanted to be alone tonight? Part of her understood, having others constantly ask how you are, checking in on you, it wore on a wolf. Sometimes one just needed time and space to themselves. But she was so very close to the end and Terreis worried about leaving her alone. “Are you sure?” She questioned, but really she already knew the answer and so continued. “Alright, but I’ll be listening for you in my den. If you need anything, if you feel anything, please call to me.” She would never forgive herself if something happened to Aleu or the pups while she was under her watch.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:11 am
The expected argument didn’t come. That pleased Aley greatly. “Yes I’m sure.” She told the other with a nod of her head. At least Terreis understood the need to be alone from time to time. Besides, she had this odd feeling, though it had nothing to do with the pups. It seemed far off. Though the day was bright and clear Aleu could swear there was a storm coming. “I’ll be sure to call you if I need anything, thank you.” She was sincere in that, Aleu was truly thankful for the chance to be left alone.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:12 am
“Alright.” She would still check on her throughout the night, but would not stay with her. “I need to go check the borders, but I’ll come and check on you later.” With that Terreis slipped from the den. Before heading off on her patrol she found all the others who had stayed behind and passed the word on, that Aleu would be sleeping alone tonight but for them to check on her while she was busy with the patrol. With the others informed Terreis padded off, ready to ensure YMCA was still safe.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:13 am
As Terreis left Aleu shifted a bit, trying to get comfortable so she could rest. It half worked, and she was able to get a bit of sleep before the uncomfortable feeling in her body returned. When she did wake she could once again feel that odd sense of a storm coming. A quick glance out of the entrance of her den confirmed there were a few clouds in the area but nothing that would indicate a storm. At one point Ki-Adi came in to check on her, they talked for a while but then the shy wolf left leaving Aleu alone once more. Before nightfall Terreis came and checked on her one last time, ensuring that Aleu needed nothing the splotchy female returned to her den for the night.
The storm came upon the land quickly. Aleu felt the fur on the back of her neck stand as the wind began to pick up. This would be a bad was, she was certain of it. The speed at which the storm came was matched only by the intensity of it. Strong winds howled, rain came down in droves and at some points had a mix of snow within them, lightning flashed across the sky followed closely by the long and loud rumbles of thunder. What a night to be left alone. Curled into the back of her den Aleu tried to cope as best she could. The storm seemed to rock her very den, touch her very soul. Amidst all the chaos outside of her den a pain started to run down her side. No, not now.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:14 am
As the winds picked up Terreis almost considered moving into Aleu’s den for the night, but she had promised the young wolf to leave her be unless she was needed. Other than poking her head out of the den to check on the weather Terreis stayed where she was, as no doubt the others did. Yet, as the storms intensity increased Terreis decided to at least go and check on Aleu. Slipping out from her den Terreis was nearly completely bowled over by the strong wind. Rain hit her pelt more like rocks than drops of water, they stung her eyes and made it nearly impossible to see. After a few moments of struggling to maintain her footing Terreis was forced to give up and return to her den. Hopefully Aleu was alright for it looked like she would not be able to check on her until the storm subsided.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:15 am
Slowly the pain began to build up. Aleu had spoke to both her mother and Terreis about the pains of labor, but no words could full describe just how bad they would get. At one point, as she knew she neared the point where the pups would be arriving Aleu let out a long howl calling out to Terreis. However the storm seemed to be against her obtaining such help as the wind howled even louder, making her call pointless. Panic set in for a few moments as the knowledge that she would have to do this alone settled in.
There was nothing she could do but what had been instructed of her. There was an odd irony however, that her pups would be born during a storm just like herself and her siblings had been. Oh if only Verse was here. She knew her mate had wanted to be here to see their children in to the world but there was nothing Aleu could do to stop it now. The birth of the first pup had been frightening, she had gone through so much pain but the reward of seeing her pup made it all worth it. Rain continued to pound outside as Aleu set about cleaning her first born and preparing to bring it’s siblings into the world.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:16 am
As the night went on Aleu pushed and panted and was able to bring four more lives into the world. Five in all – four boys and a single girl. Looking between her children Aleu was filled with pride. At a quick glance two of her children might be mistaken as twins as the colors and markings were so similar. But she could see the difference and loved them all. It had been horribly tiring, and though the storm continued outside her pups were quiet, either nursing or sleeping pressed up against her belly. She had done it, she had overcome the fear and pain and had a new family to cherish. Sadness did stain the moment knowing that Verse was not here, but just think he would return home to see his pups…and then they would name them. Laying her head down Aleu watched her pups for a while before slowly drifting off to sleep, the rumble of thunder now seeming to lull her into sleep.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:17 am
Morning came and to Terreis’ surprise when she went to check on Aleu at first light there was the squeaks of newborns pups coming from the den. Slipping inside Terreis’ eyes fell upon Aleu and five tiny bundles of fur at her side. “Oh Aleu, they’re perfect.” And she had done it all by herself during that storm. She was not convinced that nature was against her last night when she had tried to check on the female. “I should have been here for you, but the storm kept me in my den.” So much for protecting everyone and making sure all was well. Luckily there had been no complications and both mother and pups seemed to be in good health.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:18 am
Aleu looked up and smiled as Terreis entered the den. Seeing the other wolfess have a moment of tenderness was rare. “It’s alright Terreis, I know the storm kept you away. But it worked out fine. Lowering her head she nuzzled each one of her perfect pups and then looked to Terreis again. “They are a blessing brought in by that storm.” Letting out a yawn Aleu would have said more but she was still quite exhausted. She remembered acknowledging Terreis’ departure before slipping off into sleep again.
As afternoon hit Aleu got up and stretched her sore muscles while the pups slept in a pile. Ki-Adi and Partridge had been by to say their congratulations and see the newest members of the pack. Terreis had even brough her a meal so that she could maintain her strength. For right now Aleu lay in the entrance of the den, her head laying on the cool ground but the majority of her body was still inside the den. It was almost perfect…only one thing, one wolf, could make it completely perfect.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:41 am
 The moment that the lost boy had been found and the weather cleared Chivosi had called an end to the hunt and everyone had turned towards home. Verse had not waited one moment longer - the hunt had already gone on longer then they had all anticipated thanks to the weather and he had been anxious to return home and see his mate again.
Verse had raced off ahead of the rest of the pack and no one had aid a thing to stop him - they were all aware of just how worried he had been and how anxious he was to return home. As a result the tan and orange wolf returned a good deal before the rest of the pack, he'd sped past Terreis while she was out on patrol with only a hastily yipped greeting, startled Ki-ad at the river and bounded straight to his den where he could see Aleu laying half out in the sunshine. "Aleu!" He called out as he rushed forward, skidding to a halt just in time to bend down and give her a nuzzle...which is when he heard those other sounds coming from the den and turning his nose to the entrance smelled them as well "They're here?!?" He yelped in excitement though his ears docked a moment later "I missed it...I'm sorry love" He apologized knowing that doing everything alone must have been difficult "I should have stayed home"
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:48 am
Though her eyes were half closed, Aleu knew instantly that it was Verse who was coming. Tail thumped against the ground inside the den and he greeted her. She returned his nuzzle lovingly and whispered. "I missed you." Before she could say anything else he realized what surprise awaited him in the den. Giving his cheek a lick Aleu let him know it was alright. "They arrived last night." Slowly she lifted herself to her paws, she was still a bit weak and sore but a bit of rest and a good meal or two would get her back to normal.
Giving her head a bit of a shake. "No, you wanted to go on the hunt and I let you." She was still upset that he had missed their birth, but now he was here and could see his children. "Now come, say hello to your pups." Turning around Aleu crawled back into the den, she walked over to the pile of pups, gently nosing them before laying down beside them. With a wide smile on her maw Aleu turned her attention to Verse to see his reaction to the pups.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:15 pm
Verse followed Aleu into the den with the same hurry that he had rushed home, he was glad that Aleu didn't seem to be angry with him and lowering his head he carefully nosed the wiggling mass of lumps until they dissolved into individual pups "Oh my!" He exclaimed "There's so many!" Verse wasn't sure how many he had expected but now..facing them there seemed to be a lot more then he had been prepared for - or maybe it was just the sudden knowledge that he was a father that had him floored.
"Have..have you named them?" He questioned Aleu after a few moments - not that he would be upset if she had, she'd birthed them alone she he supposed that she deserved the right to name them if she had wanted to.
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