to.

            Upon finishing their breakfast, the two new mates hurried back to their pack's cave. Once they returned, the entire pack bombarded Achak with playful nuzzles and of the like, which Kiona wasn't so envious of anymore. She was more concerned about them smelling her scent on their alpha; she was skeptical of what they would say, even though they had accepted her as part of their family.

            Kanook was one of the first to know what the two were doing the previous evening. He was actually expecting them to return before nightfall yesterday, but it turned out not being the case, which also did not surprise him in the least. But it made him chuckle when he noticed their scents entwined with each others'. After greeting his family, and even though he was anxious to be near Kiona again, Achak gave orders for the pack to hunt that day. Once everyone moved out and headed in the direction their alpha said to go, Achak followed them, keeping his cool blue eyes on Kiona, not in an overly-protective way, but in a yearning way. He was so out of touch with reality, he didn't even notice his uncle slowing down to walk next to him.

            "So...how many cubs am I gonna be a great-uncle to?" Kanook chuckled. Achak's eyes widened, even though in reality it wasn't anything to be embarrassed about.

            The nephew cleared his throat, but couldn't get rid of the happy curve to his mouth. "I don't know...ten?" he said, jokingly.

            "Hahaha, for her sake, I hope not," the uncle laughed, causing the hybrid to look back at the two, but then she looked ahead again. "Though I don't think last night is much of a secret anymore."

            "Why's that?"

            "Her scent is all over you," the beta chortled, giving the alpha a reason to feel akward. Achak didn't let it bother him much longer, he knew his uncle was only playing around. Besides, he loved Kiona, and no one and nothing could not and would not change his mind. He stole one last glance at her before it was time to hunt for food.

~~~

            A few times, Achak and Kiona, and even the rest of the pack were worried that Kiona wasn't going to have pups, because she was so skinny, she was showing little signs of pregnancy. Olathe said there was still hope since Kiona was over twice as thirsty as the norm, so as an experienced mother, she assured everyone that pups could still be on the way. Ayashi was extremely happy for her brother and Kiona when she heard the news; she was happy enough for both herself and Takoda. Everyone showed their congratulations over time, except for Shiro the omega, who wasn't too thrilled about the new additions because that would mean he had to babysit them while the rest of the pack hunted. No one really paid attention to what Shiro was whining about because all of them knew that if Shiro let harm come to the cubs, they'd bring harm to him.

            It was about three weeks into summer, but it was the beginning of a new unenjoyable event for the hybrid. Her belly was starting to enlarge and Achak would simply not allow her to hunt anymore. He didn't want her or the pups to get hurt by whatever they'd be hunting, so every time it was time to leave, Achak wouldn't argue with Kiona (no matter how much she did), gave her a lick on the muzzle and left with the others. Often, Shiro or Olathe or even Ayashi would stay behind to keep her company (just because if Kiona was left alone, not only was she in possible danger of any invaders, but she would more than likely follow the pack.) Even though Kiona would put up an argument and want to leave to hunt with her mate, deep down she knew better. She would do anything to keep her and Achak's cubs safe.

            Kiona sat outside of the cave, taking a glance at her own belly once in a while. The cubs were moving around and it actually made the hybrid excited, but a bit nervous. But leave it to Shiro to change her mood from excited to irritated.

            "Can I touch your tummy?" Shiro asked suggestively, winking at Kiona.

            "No! Go away!" Kiona barked, glaring down at the black and white wolf. He was shorter than Kiona was and still cowered as low to the ground as possible. He usually never messed with her more than that, but as irritating as it was, it was pretty entertaining too.

            The pack was appearing through the trees carrying a small caribbou, Kiona noticed, and she met them half way. Naturally she approached Achak first and nuzzled his face with her own. He winced at her affection due to a cut under his eye. He said the caribbou almost hit him in the face with it's antlers, but thankfully he barely missed it. The hybrid began to lick the wound gently, but the two of them were summoned to eat because everyone was hungry and waiting on Kiona to eat first. Once she ripped off a hunk of flesh to consume, the others began to eat too, Shiro again as always having to eat last.

            Whenever Achak wasn't busy hunting or scouting (which he rarely had to do right now because someone else would often scout for him) he took the time to rest with Kiona. She would always lay on her side inside the cave, exposing her belly for Achak to tendly rest his head on. He could almost fall asleep like that, and sometimes he would, just because he was so relaxed. And Kiona would always lick his head, maximizing his relaxation.

            But one day, when the two of them were all alone together in the cave relaxing, Kiona felt a sudden feeling of anxiety about becoming a mother. At this time her belly was bigger and she could feel the cubs move more, knowing that their time would be coming soon. The hybrid looked down on her mate, who had his head resting on her with his eyes closed, but he was still awake.

            "Achak..?" she whispered. He opened his bright blue eyes and looked at her. "Do you think...I'll be a good mother?"

            The wolf stared at her for an instant, wondering why she would ask that. Why wouldn't she be? It could not have been due to her mental state...that was so long ago and she hadn't lost herself since the war with Nayati. He didn't want her to feel worried about having the pups. This was supposed to be a happy time for them, so he smiled at her. "Every female has a motherly instinct. And you've taken such good care of yourself, you have nothing to worry about." He said, putting his face on hers.

            "Yes, but...what if they grow up fearing me...? Like how I feared my father?" What she said made Achak's eyes widen in surprise. Even if that was possible, he couldn't think of it. Kiona's voice began to break. "There was something...wrong with him...I knew...And there's something wrong with me too...what if...they... What if I hurt them?" She began to cry, and tried shying away from her mate, but he wouldn't let her. He cradled her in a canine fashion and comforted her. She was so worried that her viciousness was going to cause harm to their offspring. Even though she hadn't gone insane for a very long time, it was still who she was, and it was still something she couldn't help.

            "They're not going to fear you," he whispered over her sobbing. "You already know how you don't want them to be treated, and that's good." She nodded and he licked her fallen tears away. "We're going to raise them together." She nodded again and pushed her face into his neck fur and they remained like that until Kiona fell asleep. Poor Kiona... the stress of her puppyhood was trying to get the better of her. But as long as Achak was alive, he was not going to let it. Which reminded him...

            "Kiona..." he whispered to her sleeping form, hoping that somehow she could still hear him. "If anything happens to me...I want you to continue living, alright? I don't want you to hold back. I want you to press forward and take care of our pups... That is my wish." He laid his head down, but didn't sleep. He felt he had to watch her. The wolf-dog then softly moaned and whispered drowsily, "Nothing is going to happen to you..." Achak then felt his eyes well with tears, and nuzzled her again.

~~~

            Only three were inside of the cave one night. No one was hunting, but they were scattered about the vicinity, waiting. Everything was quiet except for the nervous pacing and panting of the wolves. It wasn't hot that night; it was very temperate, yet there was still an anxious heat throughout the land. Their alpha female was having her pups, and they were arriving earlier than