A smug grin sat slap in the middle of Loki's face. She loved this feeling, and loved even more the knowledge that she and Hige would be watching over a litter again quite soon.

The female had since got over her illnesses and fattened up to a healthy level so that it wasn't so easy to tell by outward appearances that she was carrying puppies this time. It delighted her to know that for a short time it would be her little secret, but now it was time to tell Hige and share the joy.

Lifting herself up from her temporary resting place in the warm sand, the female backtracked to the den knowing she would find her mate along the way, if not still asleep.

She wondered if he had figured it out yet, and if he hadn't, how he would react. She knew it wouldn't be a bad reaction, but it tickled her to see it and she yipped her return to the den site happily.