Bending forward on front limbs she stretched her frame, another swift punch pelted against her side. She much wished the pup would move out of that area. Yet she was sure there was no more room. The once taunt stomach had stretched, stretched a little more, and her skin now seemed to protest moving any further. Another motion rolled against her stomach, not as unpleasant but reminding her she needed to eat. She smiled fondly, the twitching not as rough after shifting position. Unmatched eyes lifted to the entrance, all she had to do was crawl out of here. Pale face scrunched placing small wrinkles along her gentle features. Walking out of the den was a chore in itself, but she collected a breath, and with a steady stride managed the climb.
Fresh air with the perfume of the forest she most loved perked her nostrils, and her spirit temporarily. Much had happened in these last months, and she had different worries. Kauda hadn't been seen, and if she could have she would have looked for the girl. Walking such distance now was out of the question, and she hoped the girl would return perhaps with good news of her family. Breathing deep she let the sigh that she'd been surpressing fall from her lips. She was alone, it was clear no one was near the den, if one sigh helped her cope so be it.
Standing on the tiny noll, eyes looked upon the lands, knowing something to eat would be nearby. She went to set for a cache of meat when her belly tightened. But she was use to that. The whole week it'd been doing that, going hard like a rock for a time. Deciding it nothing, as it didn't hurt it was just odd, she casually strolled further letting her nose guide her to where a dead animal awaited. She smiled, grateful for whoever had brought it there, and started nibbling at the meat. Once she polished it off it was time for a drink, and she hobbled along to the nearby stream.
Jaysyek never made it to the stream.
Another harder pain dug against her inwards. A different pain she'd never felt, so much she had to hold herself steady trying not to sway. Panic hit her, was it time or was something wrong? Breath. Alright she needed to breath. Surely it could be time? Fear threatened to take hold of her, yet the pain ceased for several seconds. Raw instinct was all she knew, and she felt the need for her burrow. Mind collected, nerves tried to calm, she much wanted Borden too. She had always wondered if she'd want him when the time came, and she desperately did. She wasn't sure about how close he was. Nostrils flared, trying to find his scent. Her coarse was slow, especially with another uncoming contraction stalling her, but she had to do something. Moving helped her forget the pain.
She waddled detecting a day or two old trail of his. It was something, and she stuck to it if only to smell him. The trail evenutally led to an ancient, hollowed tree. Something about it comforted her, much like the den she'd been born in. Drawn to it snout lowered against the needles, and she poked her head in the dark dwelling. It was vacant, and roomy. A longer contraction raked her body, and she winced from the pain this time trying not to whine in pain.
It was time.
Crawling in the wide hollow, she nestled herself against the back wall, and started panting through clenched teeth. She waited till the pain left her, and titled her head back a single note of urgency ringing from her dry lips. After the note faded, another fierce wave of hurt came, and a soft whine slipped. Soon she could not think of anything else, for it was time to push. Concentrating, she tried to ignore the hurt, and after struggling the first pup emerged. Mother instincts kicking in she touched her nose to the dust colored pelt, and pink tongue curled along clearing his air way, the thin coat that enveloped him, and the cord that attached him. The tiny body wiggled to life, so small, so fragile, but he already had her heart. She softly nudged him near her warm belly, and she rested briefly waiting for the next wave of pain marveling at the tiny child.