Late afternoon, mid 50s'
Gone Tomorrow
The pack had not been there for long when Corinna's stomach had begun expanding at a rapid rate. The swell was distinctly noticeable now, and her walk was definitely closer to a waddle. The first order of business upon arrival had been to send the pack wolves out to secure the borders, marking it with their strong scents to indicate that there was a pack here and that they would not be going anywhere. The second had been to devote their efforts to establishing a den. They had done so, not too far from the oak tree from which the pack had taken their new name.
The den was rather shallow, but the jagged rocks overhead provided enough protection that Corinna was satisfied with it. They had dug deep enough into the ground that strangers would have to slink into a short passageway before they could reach the newborn cubs - provided they could get past their mother. Corinna had spent the past few days obsessively rummaging around the den area, clearing dirt with her paws that did not necessarily need to be cleared and flopping around to determine the most comfortable position for when the time came.
And so she had plenty of time to get to her den when the all too familiar spark of pain hit her, followed by a puddle of water at her hind feet, alerting her that it was time for the den to be used for real. Making the short waddle to the den's entrance, she paused only for a moment, to tilt her head back and call for Ice. She didn't have to explain why, surely he would know by the urgency in her voice. Satisfied that her companion was aware of the situation, Corinna turned tail and crawled into the den, nestling herself against the dirt and rock back wall.
Experience told her to not expect a short and easy delivery. Neither of her two previous litters had been difficult, but she had labored for several hours before each of her cubs had been delivered. This pregnancy went a very similar way. The light in the entrance way had begun to fade as night took over when the first cub came into the world, mewing and clamoring for her stomach to nurse. The pale fur brought a smile to Corinna's face as she nuzzled her son closer to her. Ice, not Indru would be waiting for her this time, and this boy, so clearly colored like his father was evidence of it.
His brother would not come for some time later, but when he did, Corinna repeated the process - cleaning him and nuzzling him close to her for food and warmth. Another boy, also pale in coloration, just like the first. So different from Rihael and Fenru, but certainly no less precious. Leaning her head back against the floor, her tail thumped a few times against the ground in satisfaction. Eyes half closed, she peered into the darkness of the entrance. "@Ice? You have two sons."