Gone Tomorrow
Summer's heat had not yet hit them, but Corinna was sweltering. Standing knee deep in the River, the large and round female panted heavily. Green eyes looked upward, trying to find a cloud in the sky. But the Canadian sky was clear, and it was only common sense that stopped Cori from wading any deeper into the pool. She had been like this for the past couple of days, and more often than not, she could feel the tiny kicks to her stomach, demanding her attention. Experience told her that the time would be soon, and despite her agitation at the lack of shade, she was grateful for being able to stand outside and breathe fresh air. Once she gave birth, her freedom to roam would be greatly reduced - not that she had been roaming anywhere far for some time now.
Lowering her head to drink, the cool water helped parch her throat. But almost instantly, she felt the strain on her bladder. It was an unfortunate side effect, though Swift River's borders had been particularly well marked ever since. Waddling back onto to dry land, she lifted one paw and then another, shaking each one in turn to dry herself. She was too far from the borders to put her need to any good use, so she merely wandered over to a nearby bush. Far too pregnant to lift her leg as she normally would, she settled for squatting. Relieved, Cori rose up, shook herself and began to walk away, thinking that she would go find Indru. More broody than ever, she was constantly nagging at him to help spruce up the newly constructed den. It had been a fine pack event, but there was always more to be done, in her mind.
But before she could howl for him, Cori was halted by a wet feeling on her hindleg. Confused, she dipped her head, peering around her stomach to get a better look. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but almost a release at the same time. Sure enough, there was a small puddle where she had been standing. Immediately, the gray female began to waddle in the direction of the den. Howling as she waddled, she called for Indru. "It's time." Her song was cut short by a violent contraction, one that halted the leader in her tracks and almost forced her to her knees. But she had to keep going. Their den was not too far off, and she did not want to have her cubs born in open territory.
The contractions gradually increased, growing in intensity the longer she walked. By the time the large tree and mangled roots appeared, Corinna was in agony. "INDRU!" She screamed, her normal docile nature nowhere to be found. Throwing herself into the dark howl, the leader collapse in a heap near the back wall, momentarily disoriented from the sudden lack of sunlight. Whining loudly, she burrowed onto her side, scratching with her front legs at the empty air. Her hips had begun to dilate, but she had not yet felt the need to push. Panting, she grimaced as another contraction hit her. It was going to be a long day.